• Offers support to Brazilian companies wishing to enter the Canadian market.
  
• Assists Canadian companies wishing to invest in Brazil or import from Brazil.
  
• Promotes Brazil-Canada joint ventures.
  
• Promotes investment opportunities in Brazil.
  
• Provides economic and statistical data on the Brazilian and Canadian markets.
  
• Promotes contact between senior Canadian and Brazilian executives.
  
• Organizes seminars, trade shows, and workshops.
  
• Organizes and assists trade missions.
  
• Supports businessmen and businesswomen to promote their products and services in
  Canada.
  
• Promotes Brazil as a major tourism destination.
  

Brazil

Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world with a total land area of 8,514,876 km², which corresponds to half of South America. It is constituted by 26 states plus the Federal District, and 5.564 municipalities. Its population of 183.9 million inhabitants is the fifth largest worldwide, and it is concentrated in the Northeast and Southeast regions.

The Brazilian economy is very diversified. Services contribute of 67.4% to the economy; industry contributes of 25.8%, and agriculture contributes of 6.7%. In 2006, Brazilian GDP grew by 3.7%, and totalized US $1.067,9 billion, which ranks Brazil as the 10th largest economy of the world. Interest and inflation rates have decreased during the past few years, reaching 15.3% and 3.14% respectively in 2006..

Brazilian trade balance has also grown in the past few years. In 2006, the country accounted a surplus of $46.4 billion. Total exports were $137.8 billion, and imports reached $91.3 billion. Brazilian main trade partners were the United States, Argentina, China, and Germany.

Sources: Banco Central do Brasil; IBGE; Economist Intelligence Unit.

Brazil Data

World Trade Organization: economic and trade data.
Central Bank of Brazil: macroeconomic and trade indicators.
IBGE: socioeconomic indicators
FGV: price indexes. (Portuguese only)
World Bank: general Brazil data and information.
IPEA: socioeconomic studies and researches. (Portuguese only)

Bilateral Trade

The relationship between Brazil and Canada goes back to 1866 when Canada opened its first office in Brazil. Nowadays, Canada is represented in Brazil by the Embassy in Brasília, by the Canadian Consulate in the city of São Paulo, and by two other offices in the cities of Belo Horizonte and Recife. In Canada, Brazil is represented by the Embassy in Ottawa, and three other Consulates in the cities of Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.

In 2006, Canadian investments in Brazil totalized US $6.6 billion, and Brazilian investments in Canada were about US $15.8 billion, ranking Brazil as one of the largest investors in the country. Brazilian investments in Canada were driven in the past few years especially by the acquisition of Canadian companies in the mining sector.

Bilateral trade between both countries has increased annually. In 2006, for example, bilateral trade rose by 17% over the previous year, and totalized US $3.4 billion. Brazilian exports to Canada were US $2.2 billion, and imports US $1.1 billion.

Brazil’s main products exported to Canada include Aircraft & Spacecraft, Iron & Steel, Inorganic Chemicals, Sugars, and Machinery. On the other hand, main products imported from Canada are composed by Fertilizers, Mineral, Fuel & Oil, Paper & Paperboard, Machinery, and Electrical Machinery.

Sources: MDIC/Alice Web, EDC.

Bilateral Trade Data

Alice Web: register your company and have access to Brazil-Canada bilateral trade data. (Portuguese only)
BrazilTradeNet: Brazil-Canada trade indicators. (Portuguese only)
DFAIT: trade indicators between Canada and other countries, including Brazil.

In a globalized environment, trade between countries has been increasing and playing an important role in the economies. Whether you are looking for services, raw materials or finished products, importing could always be taken into consideration.

Importing involves some paperwork, regulations, and steps though. If you are thinking about becoming an importer in Canada, please consider browsing the websites below:

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA):

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is a part of the Public Safety Portfolio, and is responsible for providing integrated border services. All information about registering your import account, shipments, regulations, importer programs, among others, is provided by CBSA.

To help you in your endeavors, CBSA has also available in its website a Step-by-Step Guide to Importing into Canada.

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT):

The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) provides you with basic information about the steps you should consider when starting importing into Canada, and the government bodies you should contact when setting up your import business. DFAIT focus mainly in helping Canadian exports, but it may also helps you in finding some contacts abroad.

If you are interested in importing from Brazil into Canada, please take a look at the websites below or contact the Brazilian Trade Bureau located within the General Consulate of Brazil in Toronto.

BrazilTradeNet:

BrazilTradeNet is the national trade portal maintained by the Ministry of Foreign Relations. It is the largest Brazilian trade database where you can find Brazilian exporters sorted by product and location, information about trade shows, publications, and market data, among others.

Registration at BrazilTradeNet is free of charge. By being a part of the BrazilTradeNet database, your company is able to contact potential exporters in Brazil. Register your company, and contact the Brazilian Trade Bureau near you to validate your membership.

Brazilian Exporters:

Brazilian Exporters is a virtual showroom developed by the Ministry of Industry, Development and International Trade, with more than 24,000 updated and current exporting companies.

Brazilian Exports Directory:

Brazilian Exports Directory is a part of the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry (CNI). It comprises more than 10,000 companies, which are responsible for about 90% of Brazilian exports

For more information about importing from Brazil, events and trade shows, among others, take a time to browse the “Useful Links” section.

Exporting to Brazil

SECOM key activities focus on promoting Brazilian exports to Canada, and attracting Canadian investments to Brazil.

For more information regarding exports of Canadian products and services to Brazil, please contact the Canadian Consulate in Brazil, or the Brazil-Canada Chambers of Commerce as follow:

Canadian Consulate General in São Paulo
Av. Das Nações Unidas, 12.901 – 16º andar
04578-000 São Paulo, SP

Tel.: +55 (11) 5509-4321
Fax: +55 (11) 5509-4260

Email: infocentre@canada.org.br
Website: www.canada.org.br

Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce in Toronto
160 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 300
Toronto, ON M4P 3B5

Tel.: +1 (416) 364-3555
Fax: +1 (416) 595-8226

Email: bccc@iecanada.com
Website: www.brazcan.org

Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce in São Paulo
Rua do Rocio, 220 – 12º andar, cj. 121
04552-000 São Paulo, SP

Tel./Fax: +55 (11) 3044-4535

Email: ccbc@ccbc.org.br
Website: www.ccbc.org.br

By being the largest Latin America economy, diversified, and with a high developed industry, Brazil has an attractive domestic and international environment for investments.

Brazil’s GDP is among the ten largest in the world. As a part of the BRIC nations, along with China, India, and Russia, Brazil may be among the top five economies worldwide by 2050.

The political consolidation in a democratic and peaceful environment has grown foreign confidence in the country. This confidence is also strengthened by a more stable and sustainable economy, which has shown improvements in macroeconomic indicators such as inflation control, lower interest rate, steady GDP growth, advancements in the distribution of income, etc.

Brazil’s population is distributed in the fifth largest country in the world, and constitutes the fifth largest consumer market in the planet. It is a multicultural friendly society, with no conflicts.

The country offers excellent infrastructure, with extensive roads, and many ports and airports. It has also an advanced financial and telecommunication systems. Furthermore, the Brazilian executive class is renowned for its entrepreneurship, competence and creativity.

Brazil is an active participant in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations (UN), and is a gateway to Mercosur and South America. The country has bilateral agreements with several other countries, and is among the twenty-five largest exporting countries worldwide.

Brazil is a major producer of aircraft, consumer goods, energy and minerals, and food. Within the agribusiness sector, it is the largest exporter of coffee, sugar, orange juice, chicken meat, tobacco and alcohol.

For investors, Brazil is also an attractive country by being an open economy that allows remittance of profits.

BrazilTradeNet:

BrazilTradeNet is the national trade portal maintained by the Ministry of Foreign Relations. In its investment section, it is possible to find useful information and publications for those that are interested in investing in Brazil.

Why Invest in Brazil?: find out some reasons for investing in Brazil.

Legal Guide for Foreign Investors in Brazil: prepared by Centro de Estudos das Sociedades de Advogados, it provides information regarding the Brazilian legal system, foreign exchange regulation, capital markets, tax system, legislation, and much more.

Legal, Administrative, and Political Barriers to Investments in Brazil (Vol. I): the Serviço de Assessoramento sobre Investimentos Estrangeiros conducts an analysis of the investment environment in Brazil, with a special emphasis on foreign direct investments.

Legal, Administrative and Political Barriers to Investments in Brazil (Vol. II): the Serviço de Assessoramento sobre Investimentos Estrangeiros, in this second volume, conducts an analysis over the administrative barriers of doing business in Brazil.

Company Formation in Brazil: it presents information on the constitution and operation of companies in Brazil, and explains about different types of business organizations in the country, legislation, intellectual property, capital markets, and portfolio investments, among others.

RENAI:

RENAI is the National Investment Information Network, and it is maintained by the Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Affairs – MDIC.

RENAI’s website guides investors to valuable data and information such as financial support lines, fiscal incentives, macroeconomic information, investment opportunities, etc.

For more information regarding how to invest in Brazil, take time to browse the “Useful Links” section.

Brazil with its 8.5 million square kilometers has a lot to offer for any vacationer. Whether you are travelling by yourself, with your family and friends, or in a group, there will always be an option that is right for you.

On the Ministry of Tourism website (Portuguese only), in addition to providing information about the sector, you can also find what is necessary to assist you in choosing your destination in Brazil, and preparing your trip.

Brazil Tour: go to the Brazil Tour website, which is maintained by the Ministry of Tourism, and find out about different destinations in Brazil, Adventure, Rural, and Business tourism, Ecotourism, Beaches that you can visit or places where you can stay while learning a little bit more about the Brazilian Culture.

If you are going to Brazil, either for business or leisure purposes, be aware that Canadians are required to have a visa in order to enter into the country. Please click here for more information.

Associations and Institutions that Promotes Brazil-Canada Trade

BCCC: Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce (Toronto).
BRAZCAN: Canada-Brazil Trade Portal.
CCBC: Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce (São Paulo).
Government of Canada: Canadian Government in Brazil.
I.E. Canada: Canadian Association of Importers and Exporters.
TFO: Trade Facilitation Office Canada

For Exporters & Importers

BrazilTradeNet: register your company, and have access to a list of Brazilian exporters, and
Canadian importers.
CBSA: importing goods into Canada.
Industry Canada: Canadian importers database.
MDIC: Ministry of Industry, Development and International Trade. (Portuguese only)

ApexBrasil: Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency.
Aprendendo a Exportar: information for exporters, by sector. (Portuguese only)
Banco do Brasil: Brazilian Bank International Trade Bureau.
CEB: Brazilian Exporters Directory.
CORREIOS: Easy Exports program. (Portuguese only)
ENCOMEX: International Trade Meetings. (Portuguese only)
Portal do Exportador: general exporting information. (Portuguese only)
PROEX: Brazilian Bank Exports Funding Program. (Portuguese only)
SEBRAE: Small and Medium Companies Support Services. (Portuguese only)

Bank of Canada: exchange rates.
Canada Business: starting a business in Canada.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency: food importing legislation.
Canadian Standards Association: Canadian Standards Association.
Canadian Trade Index: Canadian company directory.
Industry Canada: Canadian business environment information by product and sector, Canadian
company directory, trade shows, etc.
Statistics Canada: Canadian statistics.
Yellow Pages: company directory.

Trade Shows & Events

BrazilTradeNet: tradeshows and events in Brazil.
UBRAFE: Brazilian Trade Fair Organizers Association.
Export.ca: tradeshows and events search tool.
Industry Canada: worldwide tradeshows and events search tool by sector.
TSNN: worldwide tradeshows and events search tool.

For Investors

Brasil: Brazilian Government official website.
BrazilTradeNet: investing in Brazil publications.
RENAI: The National Investment Information Network.

ABBC: Brazilian Banking Association. (Portuguese only)
ANBID: National Association of Investment Banks.
ANDIMA: National Association of Financial Market Institutions.
ApexBrasil: Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency.
Bacen: Central Bank of Brazil.
BM&F: Brazilian Mercantile & Futures Exchange.
BNDES: The Brazilian Development Bank.
BOVESPA: São Paulo Stock Exchange.
CNC: National Business Confederation. (Portuguese only)
CNI: National Industry Confederation. (Portuguese only)
FIESP: Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo.
Gazeta Mercantil: economy newspaper.
Receita Federal: Brazil Revenue Agency.
SUFRAMA: Manaus Free Trade Zone.

Bahia: Bahia Invest.
Minas Gerais: Investing in Minas Gerais. (Portuguese only)
Pernambuco: The Economic Development Agency of Pernambuco.
Rio de Janeiro: Secretariat of Economic Development, Energy, Industry and Services of the State of
Rio de Janeiro. (Portuguese only)
Rio Grande do Sul: Department of Development and Foreign Affairs.
Santa Catarina: International Business Centre of the State of Santa Catarina.
São Paulo: Investiments SP.

Tourism

Brazil Tour: Tourism Brazil.
MTUR: Ministry of Tourism. (Portuguese only)

ABAV: National Travel Agencies Association.
ABIH: Brazilian Hotels Industry Association. (Portuguese only)
ABRESI: Brazilian Association of Gastronomy, Hospitality and Tourism. (Portuguese only)
BRAZTOA: Brazilian Association of Tourism Operators. (Portuguese only)

Alagoas: Alagoas State Tourism Authority – EMATUR.
Amazonas: Amazonas State Tourism Authority – AMAZONASTUR.
Amapá: Amapa State Tourism Department.
Acre: Acre State Secretariat of Industry, Business and Tourism. (Portuguese only)
Bahia: Bahia State Tourism Authority – BAHIATURSA. (Portuguese only)
Ceará: Ceara State Secretariat of Tourism – SETUR.
Distrito Federal: Distrito Federal Secretariat of Tourism – SETUR. (Portuguese only)
Espírito Santo: Espirito Santo State Secretariat of Tourism. (Portuguese only)
Goiás: Tourism Agency of the State of Goias - ATEG. (Portuguese only)
Maranhão: Maranhao State Secretariat of Tourism. (Portuguese only)
Mato Grosso: Mato Grosso State Secretariat of Tourism - SEDTUR. (Portuguese only)
Mato Grosso do Sul: Mato Grosso do Sul State Secretariat of Tourism – SEPROTUR. (Portuguese only)
Minas Gerais: Minas Gerais State Secretariat of Tourism. (Portuguese only)
Pará: Para State Tourism Authoroty – PARATUR.
Paraíba: Paraiba StateTourism Authoroty – PBTUR. (Portuguese only)
Paraná: Parana Tourism – PARANATUR.
Pernambuco: Pernambuco State Tourism Authoroty – EMPETUR. (Portuguese only)
Piauí: Piaui State Tourism Authoroty – PIEMTUR. (Portuguese only)
Rio Grande do Norte: Rio Grande do Norte Secretariat of State and Tourism – SETUR.
Rio Grande do Sul: Rio Grande do Sul Secretariat of Tourism, Sport and Leisure – SETUR.
(Portuguese only)
Rio de Janeiro: Rio de Janeiro State Secretariat of Tourism, Sport and Leisure – TURISRIO.
(Portuguese only)
Rondônia: Rondonia State Secretariat of Tourism.
Roraima: Roraima State Department of Tourism. (Portuguese only)
Santa Catarina: Santa Catarina State Secretariat of Tourism – SETUR. (Portuguese only)
São Paulo: City of São Paulo.
Sergipe: Sergipe State Secretariat of Tourism. (Portuguese only)
Tocantins: Tocantins State Secretariat of Industry, Business and Tourism – SICTUR. (Portuguese only)

Brazilian Government Bodies and Regulatory Agencies

Agricultura: Ministry of Agriculture. (Portuguese only)
ANAEEL: Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency.
ANATEL: Brazilian Telecommunication Regulatory Agency. (Portuguese only)
ANVISA: National Health Surveillance Agency.
ANP: National Oil, Gas, and Biofuel Agency. (Portuguese only)
Bacen: Central Bank of Brazil.
Banco do Brasil: Brazilian Bank.
BNDES: National Development Bank.
Cultura: Ministry of Culture. (Portuguese only)
CORREIOS: Brazilian Post. (Portuguese only)
EMBRAPA: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation.
Fazenda: Ministry of Finance. (Portuguese only)
IBGE: Brazilian Statistics Institute.
INMETRO: National Institute of Metrology, Standardization, and Industrial Quality.
INPI: National Institute of Industrial Property. (Portuguese only)
MCT: Ministry of Science and Technology. (Portuguese only)
MDIC: Ministry of Industry, Development and International Trade. (Portuguese only)
MMA: Ministry of the Environment. (Portuguese only)
MME: Ministry of Energy. (Portuguese only)
MP: Ministry of Planning. (Portuguese only)
MRE: Ministry of External Relations.
Receita Federal: Brazilian Revenue Agency.
SERPRO: Federal Data Processing Office. (Portuguese only)

Canadian Government Bodies

Bank of Canada: Central Bank of Canada.
CBSA: Canada Border Services Agency.
CCC: Canadian Commercial Corporation.
CIDA: Canadian International Development Agency.
CIPO: Canadian Intellectual Property Office.
CITT: Canadian International Trade Tribunal.
CRA: Canada Revenue Agency.
Department of Finance Canada: Department of Finance Canada.
DFAIT: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
EDC: Export Development Canada.
Export Source: Export Source.
Government of Canada: Government of Canada.
Import Source: Import Source.
Industry Canada: Industry Canada.
Inspection: Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
International: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada.
NRCAN: Natural Resources Canada.
News: Canada News Centre.

If you are interested in importing from Brazil, investing in Brazil or exporting to Canada, please contact:

Consulate General of Brazil in Toronto
Brazilian Trade Bureau
77 Bloor Street West, Suite 1105
Toronto, ON M5S 1M2

Tel: +1 (416) 922-8481
Fax: +1 (416) 922-2847

Email: trade@consbrastoronto.org
Website: www.consbrastoronto.org

Open to the public: Monday to Friday, from 09:00 a.m. to 01:00 p.m.

If you are interested in exporting to Brazil or importing from Canada, please contact:

Canadian Consulate General in São Paulo
Av. das Nações Unidas, 12.901 – 16º andar
04578-000 São Paulo, SP

Tel.: +55 (11) 5509-4321
Fax: +55 (11) 5509-4260

Email: infocentre@canada.org.br
Website: www.canada.org.br

Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce in Toronto
160 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 300
Toronto, ON M4P 3B5

Tel.: +1 (416) 364-3555
Fax: +1 (416) 595-8226

Email: bccc@iecanada.com
Website: www.brazcan.org

Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce in São Paulo
Rua do Rocio, 220 – 12º andar, cj. 121
04552-000 São Paulo, SP

Tel./Fax: +55 (11) 3044-4535

Email: ccbc@ccbc.org.br
Website: www.ccbc.org.br