Brazils economic improvement was remarkable over the past
decade, following many years of slow growth. On average, the
Brazilian gross output of goods and services increased at an
annual average of 3.6% from 2000 to 2010, despite the global
financial crisis. From the long-term perspective, this rate
means a great achievement from years past. During the 1980s,
Brazils gross domestic production (GDP) expanded at 1.6%/yr,
while, in the 1990s, it accelerated to a mere 2.5%/yr, as shown
in Fig. 1. According to analysts estimates, the Brazilian GDP
may have expanded by 2.7% in 2011, and it could accelerate over
the next five years. This growth is linked to the anticipated
new infrastructure investments needed to host two major sports
events: the World Cup of Soccer in 2012 and the Olympic Games in
2016. Fig. 1. Brazils historical GDP trends: 19812011. Political
and social briefing Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was the
countrys president from 2003 to 2010. His main achievement was
keeping economic fundamentals uncha