A Wakeup Call for US Investors in Brazil

Is now the time to invest in Brazil? Well, it depends who you ask. But one thing is clear: foreign direct investment in Brazil is down, and that likely means there’ll be more opportunities for anyone who’s willing to take some risk.

According to the Brazilian Central Bank, foreign direct investment in Brazil has dropped by 40%, plummeting from US$68.8 billion last year to US$41.6 billion this year. While the impact can’t be understated, Brazil remains intriguing for foreign investors. It’s the largest economy in Latin America, and it has a huge consumer market.

Perhaps now more Americans will purchase Brazilian properties, or maybe US companies will open Brazilian subsidiaries. Of course, there’s always the Brazilian stock market. And just a short time ago, the government was considering issuing ESG bonds, also known as sustainable bonds or green bonds.

While more international investment opportunities are great, there’s one perpetual problem that Brazil can’t seem to solve: bureaucracy. Want to buy property in Brazil? You could wait months or even years to get through the process. Want to send money to Brazil? Good luck opening a non-resident bank account. Doing business in Brazil is just plain complicated, especially for foreigners.

Simplifying the investment process is key. Otherwise, foreign investors will need to rely on professional advisors to navigate the red tape. Brazil has the potential to generate significant returns for those willing to take on its complex system. Just weigh the risks before you move forward. It’s a jungle out there.