Following we publish, in full, a special article by the Brazilian Minister of Ports, Pedro Brito.

"The year 2008 was very good for Brazil. As much in economic as social terms, it weathered, with relative comfort, the foreign storms from the so-called developed countries. And grew, although it is very anxious to adopt preventive measures that will mitigate possible consequences of the storm that devastated the major economies of the world, releasing thousands of jobs. From an economic perspective, Brazil has maintained its GDP upwards, inflation under control, with higher foreign exchange reserves to external debt, export and business with factories abroad records, generation of employment and the internal market strengthened. 

In 2008, never before were sold so many cars, white goods and electronics. But the blows coming from abroad are worrying, in that the effects of globalization cause immediate cuts in any economy, no matter how protected it is.

President Lula is aware of the seriousness of the current economic situation that the world is going through, hence his concern to prioritize spending and improve revenues, in the prospect of repeating this year the growth mark of last year, around 5%.  

2009 should be seen as the year of opportunity, to make more money with a lot of creativity. Brazil now has, in the Northeast, the chance to expand with a new development model for the region, like the multiplication of its areas for irrigated agriculture, tourism, fisheries or the strengthening of small and medium enterprise. And industry, why not? Not to abuse and profit from cheap labor, but to create a modern rural industry and a new, stronger middle class.  

In this context, the major structural works will change the profile of the Northeast. Transposition of the São Francisco River for sure. The country has chances to anticipate its future, because we can’t let ourselves be beaten by any turbulence nor get discouraged, never!"