Brazil

Brief Fact File

Capital	Brasilia
Currency	Brazilian Real (R$)
Language(s)	Portuguese (official), Spanish, English, French
Local time	Ranges from GMT - 02:00 to GMT - 05:00; most of the country is GMT - 03:00
Telephone code	55
Major cities	São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte

Economy

Brazil's economy is the largest in Latin America. The country is rich in natural resources and has a thriving and diversified industrial sector, based on the key industries of steel, automotive parts, petrochemicals and utilities. Most industry and financial activity is concentrated in the south and southeast of the country. Brazil is also an important agricultural nation and is the world's top producer of citrus fruits, frozen concentrated orange juice, sugar cane and coffee Economic policy has shifted from import substitution to export orientation, but insufficient infrastructure remains a constraint to sustainable growth.

Major Exports:

• Transport Equipment
  
• Iron Ore
  
• Soybeans
  
• Footwear
  
• Coffee
  
• Autos

Major Imports:

• Machinery
  
• Electrical And Transport Equipment
  
• Chemical Products
  
• Oil

Business Practices

Business Dress

• Brazil has a sweltering tropical climate with winter in June/July and summer in December/January/February. So, light cottons and similar natural fibers are a reliable choices.
  
• Appearance is vital in a Brazilian business culture. Subtle differences are more acceptable, like wearing jeans and a nice shirt and blazer to a meeting is accepted.
  
• Dark color suits are more acceptable in Brazil but light depending upon the industry, light colors are also acceptable in summer.
  
• Ties should be well-made and conservative. Silk ties are easily available but they are not conservative but flashy.
  
• Make sure the shoes are polished and in excellent condition. Depending on the industry, one can wear sandals or tennis shoes.
  
• Nails of women should be well cared. Makeup is not so prevelant among women, they lean towards the natural look.
  
• On business entertaining occasions, dark suits for men are perfect formal dress. Women should wear elegant dresses or skirts and blouses.

Communication Guidelines

• Handshake is common for hello as well as goodbye, often for a long time. In a small group make sure to shake hand with everyone present. Use good eye contact.
  
• Women exchange kisses by placing their cheeks together and kissing the air, when they meet.
  
• While addressing, first names are often used, but titles are important.
  
• Brazilians favorite is music and long, animated conversation. They view interruptions with enthusiasm and enjoy joking, informality, and friendships.
  
• Good conversation topics are soccer, family, and children.
  
• Avoid conversation on Argentina, politcs, religion, and the Rain Forest.

Business Hour
Official business hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Higher ranking individuals usually begin work later in the morning and end up later in the evening.

Indian Embassy / Counsulate

Embassy of India
SHIS QL 08 Conjunto 08
Casa 01, Lago Sul
Brasília-DF - 71.620/285, Brazil
Tel.: +(55)-(61)-32484006
Fax: +(55)-(61)-32487849, 32485486
E-mail: commercial@indianembassy.org.br
Working Hours:
8.00 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 4.30 pm (Monday to Friday)

Consulate General of India
925, Avenida Paulista - 7º Andar
São Paulo-SP - 01.311-100, Brazil
Tel: +(55)-(11)-31710340, 31710341
Fax: +(55)-(11)-31710342
E-mail: com@indiaconsulate.org.br
Website: http://www.indiaconsulate.org.br

Visiting this country

Business Visa Rules for Brazil
To obtain business visa to Brazil, the following documents are required:

• Valid/signed passport (valid 6 months; with at least one blank visa page).
  
• 2 Visa application forms duly filled and signed. Application forms must be photocopied on one sheet of paper, front and back (not upside down).
  
• 2 Passport size photographs
  
• Copy of driving license (enlarge it for clarity).
  
• Notarized business cover letter addressed to the Brazilian Consulate explaining clearly the purpose of the trip, and the nature of duties to be performed, declaring that "technical support" will not be performed in Brazil, and guaranteeing financial support for the applicant while in Brazil, and return transportation. If business in Brazil is not of a technical nature, specifically state it on the business letter.
  
• Invitation from an organization in Brazil is required. (for Chicago Jurisdiction only)
  
• Proof of departure is required, computer generated flight itinerary from the travel agent.
  
• Complete the Global Reservation Form. Consular fees are non-refundable. If visa is rejected and resubmitted, new consular fees will apply. Visas are usually processed in 5 working days.
  
• Visa Validity - Business visas are based on consul's soledecision. The type 2 visa can be issued up to 5 years and allowed to stay for 90 days. The technical type-5 visa is to be used within 30 days.
  
• Visas are usually processed in five to seven business days.

Public Holidays

Festival	Date	Detail
New Year's Day	January 1
Foundation Day	January 20	Rio de Janeiro City only
Foundation Day	January 25	Sao Paulo
Foundation Day	January 26	Santos
Carnival	February 4	5 days
Good Friday	Date Varies
Easter	Date Varies
Tiradentes	April 21
Civil holiday	April 23	Rio de Janeiro State only
Labour Day	May 1
Corpus Christi Day	May 26
Civil Holiday	July 9	São Paulo State only
Independence Day	September 7
Civil Holiday	September 8	Curitiba City only
Our Lady Aparecida Day	October 12
All Souls' Day	November 2
Republic Day	November 15
Immaculate Conception	December 8	In some rural areas
Christmas Eve	December 24	Afternoon Only
Christmas Day	December 25
New Year's Eve	December 31	Half Day

Travel Tips

• Take clothes suitable for the climates you are planning to visit.
  
• Take sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
  
• Don't wear expensive items such as jewelry, and be discreet with cameras, like in any major city around the world, don't tempt thieves.
  
• Drink plenty of water when you're in Brazil (tap water is unsafe to drink).
  
• Electricity can vary within cities. Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo use 110 volts AC, Bahia (Salvador) and Manaus 127 volts AC, in Brasilia and Recife 220 volts AC. Most hotels do provide 110-volt & 220-volt outlets or adaptors. Check with your hotel which voltage is used in your room to avoid damaging your electronic equipments.
  
• If you want to dial internationally, it is necessary to dial 00 - 21 - country code - city code - phone number. For local calls within the city, just dial the telephone number. Between Brazilian states you need to dial a carrier code (021, 031, etc) then the state code and the phone number.
  
• Brazil uses the metric system, Celsius temperature, and military or British time.
  
• Visitors will find that Brazilians are very friendly people - easy to approach, respectful of visitors and always willing to help if possible.