From the point of view of economic expectations, 2020 is starting better than 2019 in the view of 12 businesspeople from large companies consulted by GLOBO over the course of a business month.
Operating in different sectors — from consumption and education to agribusiness and transportation — they predict more robust growth and a resumption of investments for this year.
This isn't just wishful thinking. Forecasts for economic growth are in line with market projections made at the beginning of this new year.
The country is expected to grow between 1.5% and 3%, still modest rates, but more expressive than that recorded in the last three years — 1%.
Investment Business
—The important thing is to look in the rearview mirror and see that Brazil has definitively moved away from the crisis that marked the second half of the last decade — says André Clark Juliano.
The president of the Brazilian operation of Siemens, an industrial conglomerate with businesses in the energy, automation, and healthcare sectors, among others.
This optimism is based on a fundamental change: investment is being directed towards the productive sector, with the basic interest rate.
As at the 4.5% level, Brazil loses its attractiveness for investors who came to speculate and earn from high rates.
Just as the outlook for this year is for more resources to improve production conditions, such as factory expansion and workforce training.
— We already feel more willingness to invest in innovation in our supply chain, which is positive for productivity in retail — says Frenchman Noël Prioux.
Noel is president of the Brazilian arm of global retailer Carrefour.
The business community's good mood, however, doesn't mean blindness to risks. The external environment is the biggest factor of uncertainty.
Despite the impasse in trade negotiations between the United States and China and doubts about the new Argentine government.
These factors could hinder Brazil's ambitions to sell more to these markets. Last week, in particular, the crisis between the US and Iran emerged as a new concern.
In short, the internal risks chapter focuses on the pace of progress of the reform agenda. Business leaders are demanding speed, especially in the tax area. If progress is made, there's a good chance the business community will end the year even more optimistic than it began.