...they live in and they pollute themselves. The, "garimpeiros" as the miners are called in Brazil are independent farmers of the gold that flows beneath the rivers of the Amazon rain-forest. Their daily routine of early mornings, long hard days, and late nights drinking and taking cocaine contribute to their way of life. Their only goal in life is to drill for the gold dust which seems to collect at the bottoms of waterfalls then use the profits for illegal self indulgences like cocaine. To extract this gold dust they must combine mercury with the dust, and because of the mercury’s chemical make-up it is able to extract the gold from the useless rock and debris. The mercury, however, isn’t the cleanest element for the environment. Many garimpeiros carelessly use the mercury then dump it into the rivers polluting the water and the food. Also, the dust from the mercury gets inhaled by the miners, contributing to their polluted way of life. All day dragas, which are boats used for mining the bottom of rivers, are pulled to locations where gold is thought to be found, moving and polluting. Then there is the common drug use among these farmers. To sum the garimpeiros’ way of life, they live a life of drinking and drugs, women and murder. So the polluted way of life is obvious, men poison the waters and the food and then ultimately themselves, with the illegal activities of the mining trade in Brazil. Although most do not realize their way of life and its defects, the struggling people...
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...people History: Brazil is a large country that is made up of different cultures. Each has a different food specialty. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in Brazil and brought their tastes and styles of cooking with them. They brought sugar, citrus fruits, and many sweets that are still used for desserts and holidays. The Brazilian “sweet tooth” was developed through the influence of the Europeans. your-url-goes-right-here.com . Lindo maravilhoso! Brazil Customs& Practices: About 80% Brazilians are Roman Catholics. Women generally kiss each other, starting with the left and alternating cheeks. Men shake hands when greeting one another, while maintaining steady eye contact. If invited to a Brazilian's house, bring the hostess flowers or a small gift. If you are offered food in Brazil, do not say “Thank you,” as this is interpreted as “No, thank you,” and is seen as rudely refusing. To get someone's attention from a distance, Brazilians say "pssssst." They never whistle at people. It’s considered rude to eat on the streets. Eating on the go is considered very sloppy, and you will probably not see people eating while walking or in transit. Attractions: One of the iconic Rio, Christ the Redeemer statue stands 40 meters on Mount Corcovado. The area is surrounded by scenery that is unmatched. The statue is made of concrete and soapstone. As a symbol of Christianity, it has become an important icon of Brazil, with Jesus Christ appearing...
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...Managing Director - Major Bank. Head of Project Finance Latam Sao Paulo Responsibilities: - Reporting directly to the Global Head of Project Finance, the candidate will be responsible for the business of the division in the Latin America region and will supervise a multicultural and multinational team of more than 30 professionals based in Mexico D.F., Santiago de Chile, Lima, Bogota, Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo. - Responsible for leading and supervising country heads and deal teams in charge of the origination of project finance transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors. - Developing the division's business strategy for the region with full responsibility for the investments, profit and loss account and resource management including overseeing a portfolio of loans of more than USD 10.000bn - Building and developing key relationships in the region. - Coordinating with other areas of the bank and participating actively in several top level committees and initiatives to develop the bank's franchise, including being a permanent member of the Latinoamerica management committee. Assessment: I am pleased to bring to your attention the above career opportunity. After 15 years working in the banking sector and having succeeded in previous challenges I consider you are prepared to take up a position of responsibility for a business line across a supranational geographic area. This will be a major step in your career and will involve departing...
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...between the cultural divides of our great planet. Verbal, as well as nonverbal, messages must be adapted to meet the needs of whichever country is being courted. Brazil is no different. While there are many similarities between the U.S. and Brazil, one major difference, on the business front, is the communication style. While most U.S. business offices are very formal in terms of ideas and debate, utilizing mostly written protocol, Brazilian business professionals tend to communicate matters more orally. According to “Brazilian Communication Styles” (2010) website, the manner in which meetings are discussed can be extremely emotional and often theatrical when compared to the traditional U.S. model. Exaggerated body language and intense eye contact can illuminate any board meeting. If one were to not understand this cultural contrast, certain negative implications could arise. The top echelon of the American business world is dominated by males, this is a known fact. Therefore, most companies are not used to catering to female leaders. However, Brazil is leading the way for a new breed of CEO, the educated and motivated woman. Hewlett (2011), “In Brazil, 14% of the CEOs of large companies are female” (para. 4). For an American business attempting to negotiate terms for mergers or hiring of a woman in Brazil, they must not forget to make any necessary adjustments needed to maintain compatibility between cultures. Business culture in the U.S. is usually dictated by...
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...Amazing Brazil !! Brazil gets its name after a tree the pau-brasil. During the colonization period, the Portuguese extracted colored liquid to paint fabric/paintings. At first they called the country “Ilha de Vera Cruz". When they finally realized that it wasn’t a island they changed the name to "Terra de Santa Cruz" but again when they started to extract wood from a tree named "Pau-Brasil" to avoid losing the territory(from the French)they changed the name to "Brasil", known as Brazil. Brazilians have a very different way of communicating. They tend to get close to each other when a conversation is taking place, and no matter what the relationship is between them. Between 30 and 40 cm is a normal distance. This is really different to our culture here in America. The distance thing is also true in many other everyday situations, such as standing in line or walking in a crowded place. Strong Eye contact (but not staring) is very important, as a demonstration of sincerity and interest in the conversation and in the person being spoken to. It is acceptable to touch someone when speaking to them, no matter the gender or the relationship. (it shows respect when you give eye contact and touch the person) A touch on the arm or a pat on the back is also known in a normal conversation. Brazil is a very family-centered society. When you meet someone for the very first time you should shake hands. A nice thing to say is "muito prazer" my pleasure. Greet individuals in descending...
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...Agriculture in Brazil Agriculture represents a big share of Brazilian economy ever since it was still a colony of Portugal. The first product consolidated was sugarcane, then coffee and later dairy. Brazil is now the third biggest agriculture exporter behind the USA and European Union only. The factors responsible for Brazil’s growth in global scenario are the available natural resources (soil, water and light), the diversity of products offered, the growth in agriculture area and productivity, growth in demand from Asian countries, among others. It is now the biggest exporter in sugar, cattle meat, poultry meat, coffee, orange juice, tobacco and ethanol (Landim, 2010). Food production in Brazil takes over 282 million hectares, approximately. In 2005, agribusiness was responsible for 27,9% of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 36,9% of exportations e 37% of employments. Almost 40% of the agribusiness gross production is originated in family based farms (Spadotto, 2005). Thanks to the government’s investment in research through companies like Embrapa it was possible to grow 4.7% per year in productivity between 1990 and 2009 with only 1.7% growth in area. According to França et al (2009) between the last two Agribusiness Census made by the Brazilian government to measure the expansion of the national agriculture it was noticeable that the mid-west region was consolidated as a major production area, soybean production expanded into new areas like the north and northeast...
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...* Question 1 0 out of 1 points | | | Which of the following is considered the most important resource for an MNC's political risk assessment?Answer | | | | | Selected Answer: | c. outside experts | | | | | * Question 2 1 out of 1 points | | | Under ________, past court decisions serve as precedents to the interpretation of the law.Answer | | | | | Selected Answer: | b. common law | | | | | * Question 3 1 out of 1 points | | | Representatives of a MNC seek an interview with local government leaders in the Department of Commerce in India with a view to assess the types of policies likely to be implemented. According to Mathis, this is an example of ________.Answer | | | | | Selected Answer: | a. qualitative approach | | | | | * Question 4 1 out of 1 points | | | For autonomous international subsidiaries, most of the impact from political risks will be in which of the following areas?Answer | | | | | Selected Answer: | b. ownership and control | | | | | * Question 5 1 out of 1 points | | | Which of the following is NOT a generally accepted method of assessing the credit worthiness of a country?Answer | | | | | Selected Answer: | b. survey approach | | | | | * Question 6 0 out of 1 points | | | Most of today's world trade takes place in which three trade blocs?Answer | | | | | Selected Answer: | a. Middle East, China,...
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...The intention of this paper is to discuss about the advantages and disadvantages for Ecuador if it becomes a member of the Mercado Común del Sur (Mercosur). Currently, the world is going through a change in important ways in the economy, the importance of belonging to an economic bloc is that through this you can get "mutual benefits in international trade" The Mercosur as we know is a South American economic bloc that “is integrated by Argentina, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Republic of Paraguay, the Oriental Republic of Uruguay and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela” (Exhibit 1). The countries that belong to the MERCOSUR are differentiated by the alliance of values held and reflected in its democratic and pluralistic societies, the protection of human rights, the environment and sustainable development. MERCOSUR is also committed to strengthening democracy, eradicate poverty and strengthen the economic and social development of the members with equity. In recent years the President of Ecuador Econ. Rafael Correa expressed his desire to become a member of this economic bloc, but what does it mean to Ecuador to join to this organization? This economic bloc offers attractive proposals for countries; among them is the establishment of a common external tariff, plus the free movement of goods and services between the member countries. For a developing country like Ecuador, it is difficult to make the decision of belonging to an economic bloc, as it must evaluate...
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...Introduction Brazil is the economic leader in South America. It is located in eastern South America bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Almost 85% of South American countries border Brazil. Most of the country is located below the equator and it has a total area of 8,511,965 square kilometers (Brazil Facts) making it the fifth largest country in the world behind the U.S. Brazil has a distinctive topography, in the north and west you can find the Amazon Basin with tropical-like weathers. Brazil is also facing deforestation losing about 52,000 square miles of amazon each year. In the south east of the country you will find its highlands and plateaus. Brazil also has a distinctive climate. The climate is generally classified into five subtypes: equatorial, tropical, semiarid, highland tropical and subtropical but 90% of the country is mostly considered tropical. (Climates of Brazil) Social Economic and Cultural Factors As for being the fifth largest country in the world land wise, Brazil is also the fifth largest country when it comes to population. According to the CIA Brazil’s population in 2012 was over two hundred million. 26.2% of the population in 2011 is between 0-14 years of age, 67% of the population in 2011 is between 15-64 years of age, and 6.7% of the population in 2011 is 65+ years of age.(CIA Fact book) Because Brazil was colonized by the Portuguese the primary language in this country is surprisingly Portuguese! Other slightly common languages you might also hear are...
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...macro exposure of Grendene, a Brazilian shoe manufacturer will be analysed. Grendene’s vulnerability and market exposure will also be accessed. Moreover the level of protection of the company will be approached. 2. Macro effects of an increase in world interest rate on the Brazilian economy Brazil is one of the fastest growing countires in the world and is part of the so called BRIC economies (Brazil, Russia, India and China). Currently the Brasilian Central Bank basis rate SELIC (Brazilian Central Bank’s rate for overnight lending) is at 8,50% p.a. (COPOM - Committee of Monetary Policy). Even if this rate is low compared to historical rates (Figure 1) it continues to be one of the highest interest rates in the world, atracting a high flow of international investments. Due to the large capital inflows, the Brazilian Real has appreciated in the last years diminishing the competitiveness of Brazilian products in the world market. Since 2009, Brazil has experienced high capital inflows mainly due to abundant global liquidity and high interest rates compared to developed countries (OECD, 2011). [pic] Figure 1: Historical interest rates in Brazil (Source: Banco Central do Brasil) In a general point of view, an increase in interest rates will cause a decrease in aggregate demand as it will lower consumption and investments (Begg & Ward, 2009). The cost of borrowing will increase, diminishing the demand for money. Furthermore, the propensity to...
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...you are Joan Beal. Prepare a list of all the options, and give the advantages and disadvantages of each. It appears The McGrew Company has been utilizing the indirect exporting phase as its primary business model in Brazil. Rather than simply exporting its products to Brazilian distributers and selling it for a markup, McGrew could exercise different options. OPTIONS * Direct Exporting Direct exporting would allow for The McGrew Company to handle its own sales and marketing within the country of Brazil. This would enable manufacturing to continue to in its current location while also cutting mark-up costs from the local distributors. Employees within the current manufacturing location may handle the documentation such as billing, shipping, and other activities while a team in Brazil will work in a local parent-type company. This local Brazilian company will perform as a distributor however it will be owned and operated by the manufacture directly. By working this option you allow for the opportunity to cut cost without moving your manufacturing capital to a foreign country. * Turnkey Project This opportunity is facilitated by a contractor who will basically build a business from the ground up within the country of choice, in this case, Brazil. The name Turnkey project is taken literally in that the materials, equipment, land, building and personnel are put into place and the company begins operations before it is turned over to the main company. The McGrew business...
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...Executive Summary Brazil is Latin Americas largest economy and since the 1990’s has shown steady economic reforms. These reforms were necessary as Brazil suffered years of hyperinflation as high as 1000% and deficit spending. The government decided to pursue economic policies that changed the Brazilian economy into a dynamic market based system. Some of the key policy changes made were the privatization, of state owned enterprises, deregulation that allowed for greater domestic and foreign competition, perusing regional and multinational free trade agreements and the removal of red tape associated with foreign investment. The mainstay of all these reforms was the Plano Real (Real Plan). This real plan involved the scrapping of the old currency, the cruzeiro and replacing it with a brand new currency the real. The plan was to drive out inflation by adhering to strict monetary policies. The government decided to peg the real to the United States (U.S.) dollar and not allow it to depreciate more than 7.5 % against the US dollar per year. The government also increased the interest rates repeatedly to maintain the value of the real against the dollar. The economic reforms in Brazil were fairly successful, the country saw the inflation rate drop to 2% by 1998 and the economy grew by 3 to 4% annually as well as foreign investment soaring to $ 22 billion in 1998, but not all was well. Brazil was facing a huge trade deficit due to an overvalued real. There were also huge budget deficits...
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...rapid end to the first golden era of globalization. The view from Davos is different which means not all is lost. Trade talks seem to be the common topic of discussion and negotiators are making progress toward the TPP on one side of the world and the TTIP on the other side. If the Pacific and Atlantic trade deals get completed and ratified that would amount to the largest trade liberalization from a negotiating process in the history of mankind. Negotiators recognize that they need to keep moving forward to be able to make this possible and if not everything could fall apart quickly. Globalization has paid off big for the developing world. Now trade and investments between developing nations are on the rise and emerging nations such as Brazil, India, and Russia are investing in wealthy nations. The presence of so many influential movers and shakers in one place called Davos makes the forum a stimulus for...
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...Janice Carrillo PUR 4106 TOMS Backgrounder TOMS, a for-profit company, sells and designs shoes based on the Argentine alpargata design as well as eyewear. TOMS is behind the idea One for One, a global movement where the company donates a pair of TOMS to a child in a developing country when a pair of TOMS is sold, also; when the company sells a pair of eyewear, part of the profit is used to save or restore the eyesight for people in developing countries. It was founded in 2006 by president and co-founder, Blake Mycoskie. Mycoskie first traveled to Argentina when he competed in the second season of “The Amazing Race” with his sister. He returned to Argentina in early 2006 for vacation and noticed that local polo players were wearing a simple slip-on canvas shoe constructed of rubber. Later on in his trip, Mycoskie decided to do some volunteer work in the outskirts of Buenos Aires, and he witnessed the hardships children without shoes faced. He realized that the lack of shoes was not only a problem in Argentina, but also in other developing countries; therefore, he decided to develop his own style of alpargata in the North America market, with the hopes that when one pair of shoes was sold, one would be given to an underprivileged child. Mycoskie presented his idea to various Argentine shoe manufacturers and created the company TOMS. Originally, he made 250 pairs of shoes. In May 2006, the company began to sell its shoes. An article written in the Los Angeles Times helped...
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...the South American continent and strongly influences the attraction of foreign investment. It is the fifth largest country on the planet, with a population of 180 million inhabitants, responsible for a very promising, predominantly urban, market. The country has the possibility to overcome the situation of exclusion from the digital world for a large portion of its population (approximately 28 million Brazilians have internet access, the highest rate in Latin America), due to an increase in telephone services, particularly in the case of prepaid mobile telephones. In addition, the development of a specific model of digital television makes the Brazilian market a gigantic laboratory for the use of applied technology. Furthermore, Brazil has the largest and most diversified system of science, technology and innovation in Latin America, a result of the accrual of accomplishments in the last 50 years, which include the capacity for oil prospection in deep waters and the ability to build aircrafts. Furthermore, the country invests in space and nuclear programs, as well as in new areas currently at the border of knowledge, such as nanoscience, nanotechnology and biotechnology. Infrastructure and partnerships Within the area of infrastructure, due to the urgency in the social agenda, the demand for modernization is shared between the State and capital from the private sector, in initiatives known as Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). In the Transport sector, the country...
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