Post: #26

You can definitely learn Portuguese well in 6 months. Though I had a background in Spanish I was carrying on conversations with strangers at month 3. As with everything, the key is insulating yourself from English speakers (which can be easy overall).

Also, I would recommend looking at smaller cities, such as in Sao Paulo (SP) state like Sorocaba, Jundiai, Itu, etc. There are probably some nice (though devastated by rain) smaller towns in Rio state as well. They don't have the congestion and crime of SP or Rio and you can still get to SP on the weekend by intercity bus. SP traffic is terrible and the real estate inflation there is beyond ridiculous. Like averaging 20-30% price inflation over 2010. Living there is like Manhattan or London and is getting even more expensive in the best areas.

Energy is huge there. Any kind of work with Petrobras (or those that supply Petrobras) is a big opportunity. I am sure with all that oil there is some kind of environmental consulting or engineering going on. Petrobras is in Rio and most industry is in SP state. There are other places like Minas Gerais, Porto Alegre or in the northeast (which is the fastest growing part of Brazil) but I have no experience there.

Post: #27

Hmmm... oil...
is money..
and money..
needs protection.

So they are building their military.

[Google].

Lead found. The Brazil and France relationship. Brazil is strengthening military capabilities wants to produce. Wants nuclear.

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=48373

I think Brazil might actually be the new China.. at least for us who were to late for the Chinese party. But how to make money on this? Lol.

Post: #28

I personally think china will be shot in the next 15 years, atleast in terms of its hyper expansive market.

1) Housing bubble is set to burst in the next 5 years. Chinese property prices are stupidly high due to chinese always saving to buy a house outright. I think down payment on a house here is like 30% regardless of credit rating. Hell when the guy with the stand at the side of the road, and a taxi driver all are complaining about housing prices, driven up by the very rich's tendency to invest by buying real estate, its gonna cause some serious problems.

2) White collar worker shortage. The 1 child policy has massively skewed demographics in cities vs towns. Rural areas are allowed 2 children if the first isnt a boy, while they are pretty strict in cities about only 1 child period, unless you play paying roughly 25% of your net worth in gvmt fines. Right now in china, the largest population segment is the 40-45 and up. When they retire in 5 years, it will create a massive labor shortage, as in china, and most of asia, parents are the children's responsibility after their retire.

3) Public outcry on workers rights combined with new pro worker legislation. Thats the reason people went to china was the low cost of labor, but each year there are new laws on things such as conditions, pay, vacation time etc... This makes china less attractive to manufactures. Japan has already implemented plans to close 1/3 of its plants in china and relocating to other SEA countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia.

4) A rapidly inflating COL, without yearly COL wage increases. Ive already seen the price for fried chicken at my local small eatery increased 3 times in the last 4 months. A situtation like this reduces internal demand for goods and services, which puts a break on internal economic expansion, which is china's last truely untapped market.

Post: #29

(12-22-2010 04:01 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Unless you have brasilian citizenship/residency, you will not be able to get a work permit in Brasil because in Brasil, when a company wants to hire a foreigner, they have to prove to the ministry of labour that there is no brasilian able to fullfill that role and that ain't going to happen, unless we're talking a bout a world class expert in a very technical field.

This is the same in Canada. In fact, this is the nature of my work - building cases for company sponsored applicants by demonstrating an employment void and/or uniques expertise.

I don't think this is serious issue from a work permit standpoint. It is more of an issue from a sponsorship standpoint. From my experience, companies are not very receptive to sponsor someone under 5 years experience.

Post: #30

(12-22-2010 04:28 PM)youngmobileglobal Wrote:  That lack of skilled mangement in Brazil comment is something I heard on a 60 minutes story about Brazil, so I wasn't making assumptions about the country or anything.

I consistently hear about a need for skilled labor (ie white collar) in Brazil. The high growth rate of certain sectors (mainly engineering, energy) is creating a shortage in these fields.

YMG, have you learnt any more insights or details on how a well educated person would move to Brazil? Say someone with a well known MBA for example.

Post: #31

(05-05-2011 07:41 PM)Luckystar Wrote:  

(12-22-2010 04:28 PM)youngmobileglobal Wrote:  That lack of skilled mangement in Brazil comment is something I heard on a 60 minutes story about Brazil, so I wasn't making assumptions about the country or anything.

I consistently hear about a need for skilled labor (ie white collar) in Brazil. The high growth rate of certain sectors (mainly engineering, energy) is creating a shortage in these fields.

YMG, have you learnt any more insights or details on how a well educated person would move to Brazil? Say someone with a well known MBA for example.

Hey Luckystar,

While I'm pretty sure that my blueprint works in emerging markets across the board, it would be dishonest of me to say that I can help you with Brazil. I"ve never even been there before so I hesitate to give you a real action plan of substance.

I would suggest tapping your alumni network from your MBA, emailing them, and getting in contact through linkedin. Contacts are currency. Beyond that, I don't want to pretend like I know how to crack Brazil.

Post: #32

I'm Brazilian and I currently work in a Swiss Big Pharma company here in Brazil,and my last job was at BASF chemicals(German)here in SP as well..so I will share my view of the current Brazilian Market.

Luckystar,If you have an MBA from a Top ten US School or a Degree from an Ivy-league Uni I guess you'll have very good chances to do business here in Brazil(probably anywhere in the world).

You're right,there is shortage for skilled workers in Engineering,Naval mechanics,and probably anything related to Infraestructe/power supplies.
Your first move should be contact multinational companies that have business in Brazil(In Sao Paulo we have them all..).I heard that Eike Batista's(see Forbes) business are in constant demand for engineers and Oil market experts.You should learn Portuguese (Asap),at this companies everybody speaks at least intermediate english,but its not common to find jobs speaking only english.Unless you're the next Mark Zuckerberg/potential nobel prize winner.

At my company,I can say that we have some expats working here..with science and marketing..most of the guys who setled here came first for a job rotation,but fell in love with the country(Most with some B Girl)and never went back

*Sorry for my poor english!

I'll try to gather further info on this topic to share with you guys.

Post: #33

YMG - thanks for the honesty

Mr.GM - I will PM you, maybe you can answer a few questions for me. Your English is pretty good btw.

Post: #34

(01-15-2011 05:42 PM)Lief Wrote:  However, I know a guy who started a business in Brazil and he needed to get a local partner. Even though Brazil is a western style culture, they have so much corruption that you need a local contact for "jeito."

An ugly truth about Brazil.Although Most Brazilians are optimistic about our country's future,the "Jeitinho" culture can jeopardize our aspiration to become a TOP 5 world power.We need to fix this pronto,but the level of corruption still sky-high.

(02-02-2011 06:07 PM)manilaguy Wrote:  What is the play on Brazil?

The country strikes me as another outlet of American capital.
Is Wall street funding Brazil?

Not true.At least not anymore.The main reason for Brazil's recent growth has been due to Internal Market/Rise of the Class C(Low-middle class);people now spend more and believe in Capitalism/entrepreneurship ; result of a successful economic policy implemented by Pres.FHC and continued/improved by Pres.Lula.

Ah,and the weather is really great (though the quite constant "Hot" weather annoys me)

In my opinion Brazil has lots of similarities with the US,some say that is a "Tropical version" of the American way of life.Specially in Sao Paulo and Rio.

Luckystar,send me an MP anytime.

Post: #35

Mr.GM, welcome on board man! Awesome to have a Brasileiro in here.
For sure, Brasil is booming like crazy and I'm happy for them and my numerous Brasilian friends, they're hard workers and deserve it fully. Brasil used to be labelled the country of the future, nowadays, it's a concrete reality. About time. But still, to get to the next level, the corruption must stop, specially among the snotty and snobby elites and government officials. Another major area to improve is the safety inside the major cities. They've been doing a great job in Rio with pacifying the favelas, is the same being done in SP?

Post: #36

(05-06-2011 01:37 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Mr.GM, welcome on board man! Awesome to have a Brasileiro in here.
For sure, Brasil is booming like crazy and I'm happy for them and my numerous Brasilian friends, they're hard workers and deserve it fully. Brasil used to be labelled the country of the future, nowadays, it's a concrete reality. About time. But still, to get to the next level, the corruption must stop, specially among the snotty and snobby elites and government officials. Another major area to improve is the safety inside the major cities. They've been doing a great job in Rio with pacifying the favelas, is the same being done in SP?

Corruption isn't the biggest problem. Some of the most corrupted countries in the world are world- and/or industrial powers.

Brazil's problem future-wise = 'simple'. Educated people. The level of education is terrible and is ranked amongst the worst in the world. This is a recognized issue in both international research as well as announced many times by industry icons such as Eike Batista and major investment firms.

This doesn't mean that development slows down, it also means that Brazil is currently growing rapidly mainly because of it's export of natural resources. This brings fresh money & investments into the country, which at the end helps the country to create more buying power in the low class communities.

However, it 'stops' with export only. The products are manufactured in China,... And typical for rough materials is that you need less people to work for you compared to actually manufacturing products.

Adding to this, Brazilians in general aren't the hard working & company loyal people. I hired and managed many of them by now, so I know what I'm talking about. It's hard to manage them as they aren't straightforward in their communication and follow directions without thinking (and order is an order, point). The last point is ok when no input is required, but create a huge issue on mid- to high ranged jobs.

If you want to get a job in Brazil, a high engineering degree & knowledge in Portuguese will be crucial. Best thing is to find a job in a US/European company BEFORE you come to Brazil. I saw to many people teaching English (low pay!) because they couldn't find another job while here. Make sure to establish a network as soon as you can. Contacts are key in Brazil.

Post: #37

(02-02-2011 06:07 PM)manilaguy Wrote:  What is the play on Brazil?

The country strikes me as another outlet of American capital.
Is Wall street funding Brazil?

The history of said country is that of exploitation. Europeans raped it's soil barren for sugar production, blasted its mountains for minerals, and exported slaves or enslaved locals for cheap production. US comes in and.. well.. we did our business.. but quietly.

What is the play?

The only ones I can think of are commodities. The place seems rife to produce commodities. If I had a mango seed i'd be sure to plant it in brazil and stock the field with generational laborers.

Or finance? Sure, maybe get brasilians to believe that the air they breathe has a price? That water quality can be a convertible tradable derivative? Give them unpayable loans for hydro electric plant? Sell them t-bills? Yeah, now that I think about it.. definitely finance related.. but i'm sure wallstreet is already on that game.

Great thread!

BTW, capoeira classes are a really great way to meet portugese tweens/women.

My thoughts exactly, Western companies are diverting there money into Brazil right now and it is the place for the next few years. But no way near a Superpower, in fact I think it is the weakest country out of the BRIC nations.

China is the next Superpower, they are buying up as much Natural resources as they can around the world. It has been estimated that by 2016 they will overtake the USA, in my estimation sooner b/c America is on it's last legs.

Post: #38

Brazil Scuttles Democracy for Gay Marriage
May 6, 2011

by Marcos (San Paolo Bureau)


This week has seen the final gasp of Brazil's feeble democracy. By 10 votes to none, Brazil's Marxist Supreme Court (STF) has instituted gay marriage in the country. Whatever our position regarding the issue, the Constitution is very clear when defining a family:

Art #226 - The family, the basis of society, has special protection from the State.

Paragraph #3 - The familial entity is recognized as the stable union of a man and a woman, and the law shall facilitate its conversion into marriage.

In order to change the Constitution, it would take two rounds of votes, with a majority of 3/5 of the House. As democracy requires, this would probably result in some debate and there is a huge probability that the bill would not pass. Therefore, in typical deceitful Marxist logic, they used a gay couples' lawsuit as an excuse. They said they had to protect a minority as soon as possible, and the debate would be a hindrance.

What is amazing is that lawsuits in Brazil usually take ten or twenty years to be judged. When Lula's party was caught in a mafia scheme to bribe Congressman with dirty money, he cynically said he was not worried, because the judgment would take 50 years.

This last month, the leader of the mafia (Delubio Soares) was re-instituted in the Party, with a huge party. He was already lobbying for a R$ 200 MM project.

Lula, the chief thief, has already made US$ 1 million in fees for lectures around the world. Since he is practically illiterate, a person who says he gets sleepy when reading a book, it is easy to see these are payoffs for helping large companies win contracts with the State. The judges do absolutely nothing about it and the leftist press is quiet.

This action recalls the infamous NKVD Troikas, Stalinist judges who sent hundreds of thousands to death with mock trials. In Brazil, judges are untouchable, make US$ 220,000 a year, have extended vacations and total security at work. They don't even have to have graduate studies (a law degree is a 4 year undergraduate one).

FALSE PROSPERITY

The world is going gaga after Brazil, the seventh largest economy of the world and future site of the Olympics and the World Cup. What people don't know is that this prosperity is false.

It was caused by the raise in commodities price and specially by demand from China for food and minerals. The State is broken and in debt, inflation is coming back at 7% a year; we have the highest interest rate in the whole world (credit cards charge 238% a year); 44% of Brazilians don't have basic sewage and most are functionally illiterate.

Meanwhile, private banks are among the most profitable in the whole world. Last week, the former murderer and terrorist president Dilma issued a law stating that works for the World Cup (already very late) will not need a budget. It is free time for corruption.

Marxism is just that: an excuse to concentrate power in the hands of a cadre of millionaire politicos and capitalists, while destroying free initiative, competition and individual rights. All in the name of charity to the poor, who get poorer everyday.

Now that we have pass this milestone, nothing prevents the Marxist government from using the judges to pass any law they want. What will be next? A gun take-over (even though there has been a recent referendum in which people decided for the right of owning guns), abortion laws, forced distribution of lands, the right of pedophilia, subservience to the UN ? Anything is possible.

Post: #39

(12-22-2010 03:13 PM)youngmobileglobal Wrote:  Oh, right, I forgot somehow about Mrs. Chocolate. In general I've blown off Brazil-related threads but suddenly I'm getting an interest in poring through them.

Mrs. Chocolate, my background is in environment/energy and business/strategy/management. I'm aware that Brazil is sort of lacking in terms of skilled management, which they are generally importing from abroad. Do you know a lot of gringoes who are working in well paid, white collars jobs that do not speak Portuguese?

Wondering the same? I was into Consulting in the US. So, wondering what could be good opps in Brasil

(12-23-2010 08:01 AM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Since you're back in NY, a good thing to do is to get into the Brasilian culture as there is a massive brasilian colony there. Go on FB and search for groups of Brasileiros in NY. Open a free account at Orkut, the Brasilian FB and make contact this way, attend their events and so forth. Great way to meet cool guys that will invite you to parties, make some nice business contacts for when you get to Brasil and also a gold mine to meeting hot brasileiras. Oh and you could easily pick up Portuguese or get a girl to do a language exchange with you, you help her with learning English and she helps you with Portuguese. The best way to learn Portuguese IMO by far! So doing this, you'd kill 5 birds with one shot so to speak: meet cool guys, make business contacts, meet hot chicks and learn portuguese and learn about Brasil and Brasilian culture from Brasilians. A real win-win situation man.

Good suggestions!

(12-22-2010 04:28 PM)youngmobileglobal Wrote:  If anyone else has their own unique means of naturally drawing girls in their life through activities other than nightclub game, I'd like to hear about it.


The allure of Brazil is almost too much to resist. Ideally I"d do a program which lets me spend a year in NY, a year in China, and a year in Brazil.

Find something like that YMG?