Brazil: The Info-Lite BRIC.

The article provides business information on Brazil, one of the four countries of BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China). Between January and August 2007, Brazil's central bank reported the growth of foreign portfolio investments by three times to $33.3 billion. Brazil ranks second, after the US, in terms of ethanol production. Ethanol is a biofuel that has accelerating demand all over the world. According to the author, factors that hinders the actualization of the nation's potential include fear of crime and corruption. Meanwhile, the "2007 Score Card," done by the Economist Intelligence Unit for the Latin American Venture Capital Association (LAVCA), notes that Brazil places second in the region when it comes to business environment.