Richard Meijer

What I am doing: Besides running a privately hold real estate business I am blogging om MasterclassBrazil.com. MasterClass Brazil was set up to provide a one-stop source of deep-knowledge for the growing foreign business community in Brazil. Why: Having been in Brazil for around 20 years, I have seen many big companies, expats and individuals failing miserably. I have burned myself once in Brazil, setting up ProgressOil, a company focused on the supply of Brazilian castor oil. I am now running a privately hold real estate business in Brazil. From all these experiences I have learned a lot. Despite the fact that I speak the language reasonable well, have a strong network and understand the do's and don'ts better, I am absolutely not saying I am an expert or specialist. Everyday I am learning new things and I believe Brazil is changing in such a rapid pace that the only way to survive in Brazil is to generously absorb and understand the information available to you. From my experience I have learned that there is a lot of information, facts and data about Brazil. I have set up MasterClassBrazil to structure this information so you can turn it in true knowledge, enabling you to be successful in your endeavors. There is nothing in the world so rewarding as sharing expertise and knowledge. Richard Meijer

Most commented posts

  1. “Brazilians are ruining FACEBOOK …” — 10 comments
  2. Remittances from Brazil with Bitcoin and Save Huge! — 3 comments
  3. US$ 220.2 billion in opportunities for foreign investment — 1 comment
  4. Comparing Brazilian states with countries: Brazilian equivalents | The Economist — 1 comment
  5. Solar Market Suffering in Brazil — 1 comment

Author's posts

Sep 09

Driving American and European business people up the walls

What time is it anyway or why is everybody always late?

donald-trump-going-crazy

donald-trump-going-crazy

The perception of time and the concept of punctuality are very different in Brazil: it has nothing to do with Brazilians being lazy, just take a look at the crew working at around the clock at places like the National Synchrotron Light Laboratory in the state of São Paulo or the people who put together those spectacular carnival parades in Rio de Janeiro. It takes an enormous amount of effort, dedication, and extraordinary long hours to do that, and the logistics are frightening. That said…

  • In general, when scheduling meetings and such, allow for some degree of tardiness. In the Europe and U.S., people are accustomed to rigid schedules and appointments that must be kept on time, and usually things work better and faster. In Brazil, people often deal with several people and different problems at the same time, and face an incredible bureaucracy to boot. Add to that the fact that Brazilians, as a rule, ?waste time? on socializing wherever and whenever, and you?ll have a scenario made to drive American/European business people up the walls.
Source:UHY International Ltd

Sep 07

Brazil garnering solar power industry attention: pv-magazine

Brazil garnering solar power industry attention: pv-magazine

One country garnering attention, without even being present at the PV-EU International Fair summit in Hamburg, Germany: Brazil!!!

A large number of equipment manufacturers are predicting the rise of the South American country in the photovoltaic industry. With that said, however, it does not mean that China will be playing second fiddle.

 

via Brazil garnering EU PVSEC’s attention: pv-magazine.

Sep 07

Comparing Brazilian states with countries: Brazilian equivalents | The Economist

Comparing Brazilian states with countries: Brazilian equivalents | The Economist.

Which countries match the GDP and population of Brazil’s states?

A very intersting article and beautiful infographic in The Economist. Unfortunately the data is from 2008. A lot has happened in Brazil over the lsat three years and GDP has been growing by 10% a year, while a lot of countries has been in recession. Anyway, to informative to not post it.

Which countries match the GDP and population of Brazil's states? Source: The Economist

THE notion that Brazil is in the vanguard of a group of emerging countries on their way to economic Continue reading

Sep 06

Incentive to produce tablet PC’s in Brazil

The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved an interim measure that fits the tablet PC’s in the law of incentives for computers and laptops, giving complete exemption of PIS / Cofins, which is currently 9.25% for the equipment produced in Brazil.

Apple iPAD

Tax incentive for producers of tablet PC's

According to the government, tax breaks derived from the measure will reach $ 6 million a year. The aim of the proposal is to lower the price of tablet PC’s, encouraging its use primarily by students. The Brazilian government also said the proposal aims to raise the rate of investment and innovation, increased productivity and strengthening the productive sector. “This is a measure that dialogues with modernity and with the new reality of the world, and generate jobs,” said House Speaker Marco Maia (PT-RS).

CHANGES

Special credit incentives will be released for tablet computers purchased from companies in the Manaus Free Trade Zone

The deputy also amended to limit the size of the screen called tablets. His intention, he says, is to prevent future cell phones and flat touch-sensitive, too, receive benefits. She set the screen size of at least 140 square inches and a maximum of 600 square centimeters.

Sep 04

PACCAR Selects DAF Brasil Factory Site

August 31, 2011, Bellevue, Washington – PACCAR announced plans to construct its new DAF Brasil assembly facility on a 500-acre site in the city of Ponta Grossa in the state of Paraná.  “PACCAR is pleased to invest $200 million in its DAF facility in the dynamic and progressive state of Paraná,” commented Mark Pigott, chairman and chief executive officer.  “Ponta Grossa has an excellent workforce and proximity to strategic supplier partners and the port of Paranaguá.  We appreciate the outstanding support from the state of Paraná and the city of Ponta Grossa in partnering with PACCAR to bring this major economic investment to the area,” said Pigott.

Construction of the 330,000-square-foot assembly facility is projected to begin in 2011 and be completed in 2013.  The new facility will be designed to assemble the DAF LF, CF and XF models, to meet current and future requirements of the Brasilian transport industry. “This will be one of PACCAR’s most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly facilities,” shared Bob Christensen, executive vice president.  The Brasil truck market over six tons is 170,000 units and is expected to grow in the coming years.  “Over time, as production levels increase, the facility is expected to hire up to five hundred employees.  Additional employment opportunities, which will generate economic benefits to the region, will be created during the construction phase and as our suppliers expand their capacity in the area,” added Christensen.

DAF Brazil Factory Drawing
PACCAR’s 330,000-square-foot DAF assembly facility is scheduled to open in 2013

“The commitment to construct the DAF assembly facility in Brasil marks a strategic milestone and we are pleased to be working closely with the state and local agencies on the planning of the infrastructure for the business,” stated Richard Bangert, PACCAR vice president.  “PACCAR has an excellent record of community involvement at all of the company’s major manufacturing locations.  We look forward to developing close relationships with Ponta Grossa State University, Paraná Federal Technology University and other technical colleges to provide ongoing educational opportunities for our employees,” added Bangert.

PACCAR is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of high quality light-, medium-, and heavy-duty trucks under the DAF, Kenworth, and Peterbilt nameplates.  PACCAR also designs and manufactures advanced diesel engines and provides financial services and information technology and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.

PACCAR Inc News Release.

Sep 03

Brazil – New industrial policy launched, includes tax breaks on exports

According to a release from Brazil’s government (August 9, 2011), a new industrial, technological, service and foreign trade policy has been outlined for Brazil. The new measures are to reduce the 20% welfare tax to zero (0%) for sectors that are sensitive to the exchange rate and international competition and which are labor intensive—such as, apparel, footwear, furniture and software.

In addition to payroll tax breaks, the new program (known in English as “Greater Brazil”) establishes a series of initial action ranging from tax breaks on exports, the creation of Reintegra(which pays back to manufactured goods exporters 3% of their export revenue along the same lines as an income tax rebate), to approval of the government purchasing law, the strengthening of commercial defenses, and the creation of special low tax rates for different sectors.

In addition, the industrial policy makes the National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES) responsible for financing innovation and investment. One of the main measures in this area is a R$ 2 billion credit line to expand the bank’s innovation portfolio.

The overall strategic guidelines for the Greater Brazil plan and other new measures are expected to be announced in the next few days.

Sep 03

US$ 220.2 billion in opportunities for foreign investment

Brazilian National Development Program prompts US$ 220 billion in opportunities for foreign companies

08/04/2010 11:15 – Portal Brasil

Phase 2 of Growth Acceleration Program opens up great prospects for 2011-2014

BRASILIA (April 7, 2010) – On March 29, Brazil launched the second phase of its national Growth Acceleration Program (PAC 2), opening up US$ 220.2 billion in opportunities for foreign investment in Brazil over the period from 2011 to 2014.  PAC 2 is a four-year US$ 526 billion strategic investment program led by the federal government that combines management initiatives and public works projects. These projects focus on building Brazil’s national infrastructure, with emphasis on improving public transit, drainage, energy, transportation, logistics, roads and civil construction.

“The second phase of the Growth Acceleration Program opens a new range of possibilities for foreign investment in Brazil. This new round of development gives the private sector the predictability needed to evaluate business opportunities in Brazil over the next four years,” said Minister of Planning, Budget and Management Paulo Bernardo during a conference call on April 7 with foreign journalists and investors. Continue reading

Sep 03

Brazilian GDP slows down, but consumption remains high

The GDP (Gross Domestic Product), sum of goods and services generated by the economy, grew 0.8% in the second quarter, showing 1.2% before the downturn of the previous quarter. Consumer spending, driven by higher employment and income, grew by 1%. According to figures released by the IBGE, the loss of rhythm was more concentrated in the industry, which suffer the effects of the strong real. Imports registered an increase of only 0.2%

PRODUTO INTERNO BRUTO – PIB
Taxa Acumulada nos últimos quatro trimentres
Agropecuária Indústria Serviços
3o trimestre – 2010 5,9 10,2 5,7
4o trimestre – 2010 6,5 10,1 5,4
1o trimestre – 2011 5,8 7,4 4,9
2o trimestre – 2011 2,6 4,4 4,2
FONTE: IBGE, Departamento de Contas Nacionais – DECNA.

 

Aug 30

Gehrlicher Ecoluz Solar do Brasil to build a solar power system on a soccer stadium in Brazil

The project of the investor Coelba is the first solar power system on a soccer stadium in Latin America.

Salvador da Bahia, Brazil. In August 2011, Gehrlicher Ecoluz Solar do Brasil S.A., a joint venture of the German photovoltaics specialist Gehrlicher Solar AG and the Brazilian environmental technology group Ecoluz Participações S.A., was awarded an international tender by the Brazilian utility Coelba. Solar power system on the roof of Pituaçu Stadium in Brazil

The contract includes planning and construction of the first photovoltaic system on a soccer stadium in Latin America. Continue reading

Aug 29

Business opportunities

Brazil has bags of business potential. Viewed as one of the most up-and-coming economies in the world, business opportunities are now rife. So looking to invest or set-up a Business in the land of the Bossa Nova? Get some background information here…

With well-developed agricultural, mining, manufacturing, and service industries, Brazil is the land for business opportunities. Brazil has been expanding into world markets and now export several products, including airplanes, vehicles, coffee, and more. The fact is Brazil has plenty of business opportunities for those wishing to expand into the Brazilian market.

Group picture at Brazilian Business School © by katedubya

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