Foreigners want to operate services in Brazil, says consultant

Attracted by the Brazilian consumer market, foreigners still have interest in investing in the country, despite the economic downturn.

Unpublished research conducted by Ernst & Young in May, with 250 executives from Europe, the Americas and Asia, shows that 60% are looking at establishing or developing activities in Brazil.

The segment of interest was services.

In the first quarter, according to the consulting survey, 110 foreign projects were implemented in Brazil.

Of this total, most are to act in the service sector: 43 are in the area of marketing, sales and support and 35 in information technology. Industry has been the target of only 13 projects.

“Brazil is a country that has 80% of its population in cities. It’s more than China, for example, where the urban population is 50%. With this feature, it is natural for people to consume more and more services,” says the vice president of Ernst & Young, Mauro Terepins.

The sectors with higher growth potential, according to respondents, are oil and gas, real estate, tourism, agriculture and the food industry.

“The oil and gas sector is not only creating industrial projects, but also point to point service projects,” says the consultancy report.

To increase investment, foreigners say the country should focus on several priorities: improving education, investing in infrastructure and expanding the fight against corruption.

(Mariana Carneiro | Folha de S. Paulo Internacional)