Economy
Edward Finney
Oct 23 2008

After the bloodless coup and the military takeover in 1964, the doors were basically closed to immigration and importation. The attitude of the military government was that `Brazil was forBrazilians´and can develop without outside help. That seemed to be true for a few short years when an economic boom occurred but it was short lived and not sustainable. For 3 decades Brazil was a manufacturer of sub standard goods that were not of export quality. The government would not allow the importation of technology or people who could improve quality. High tech electronic parts, being of low weight where easily smuggled in at great cost. . Mostly through Paraguay which is still considered a Brazilian black market supplier. It seems that everything that was available to the public was JUNK. This author bought a toaster in 1986 that lasted all of 3 days before it burnt up. . . . .and a refrigerator that NEVER worked right.

This mindless attitude started to change in the early 1990´s with the return to a democratic government. Import taxes remained extremely high but essential goods and technology were allowed. Car manufactures were allowed to setup factories within Brazil because import tariffs were prohibitive. Thehigh tech computer industryremained basically closed to import because Brazil wanted to develop it´s own. As a concession to import demand, the government developed a duty free zone in Manaus, 1000 miles up the Amazon River. . no roads in or out. . only ship transportation. Motorcycles (mostlyHondas), TV´s,computers and household appliances were the main industries with imported parts. Assembled in Brazil and transported to Santos, these items were proudly proclaimed to be MADE IN BRAZIL ( but actually were just assembled in Brazil with imported parts from the developed world).

Since the return to full fledged democracy, Brazil has improved their technology immeasurably. Quality goods are now available with 1st world technology and manufactured in Brazil. To the forefront of what Brazil is good at would be the following: Cars and trucks of foreign companies(Brazil has no national car company of any significance), household appliances, TV´s and other entertainment products, furniture, shoes, textiles, raw materials such asiron oreand bauxite, grains, tropical juices(especially orange juice), coffee, ethanol, beef and chicken, beer, motorcycles, and of course cachaça. In the non-manufacturing area one should mention architecture and design and novelas(soap operas that Brazilian women are abdicated to). In the author´s eye, the best product from Brazil is the delightful women of Northeastern . . . . an agreeable mixture ofPortugal, Native Indian and African Slave. That alone is reason enough to make one visit and want

to stay in this magnificence country. This author did. . and would do it again. . and that´s a fact.