BRAZIL:"Agro + plan is launched":

"Agro + plan is launched":

The Brazilian minister for agriculture, Blairo Maggi has introduced an ambitious plan for the agricultural sector. Agro + seeks the increase of the brazilian agrobusiness economic competitiveness and the watchword for this programme is debureaucratisation.

According to Maggi, Brazil has a great potencial, but it should improve a lot in this sector, since it has only been present in 42% of the global agricultural market. The main goal is having a bigger share in the global market.

This plan presents us three major lines of action:

- Transparency and partnership.

- Improvement of the regulatory process and technical standards.

- Simplify foreign trade.

In the meantime, all Brazilians are looking forward to the impeachment final outcome.

ANGOLA- Woes with China cash?

Is China beginning to lose patience with the Angolan regime? We have learned that the China Development Bank (CDB) has declined to make any further funds available to the Angolan state oil company Sonangol, under a US $15 billion line of credit granted in December 2015, citing Angola’s “lack of contractual compliance” and attempts to “use the money for indeterminate ends”.

BRAZIL-" The Real and Investors: 2 hot topics in Brazil"

" The Real and Investors: 2 hot topics in Brazil"

According to the Bank for International Settlements, the Real is until now the currency which has the highest appreciation rate. This appreciation (10,7% between May and June), has been stronger since Dilma Rousseff was forced to leave office.

Meanwhile, larger companies from many areas of business, with a special focus in the industrial segment, make their voices heard through several statements in the media, pointing out they are just awaiting for the definitive removal of the former President, to finally resume investment on a large scale. Ís the political turmoil coming to an end?

BRAZIL:The Government is making some moves

While the Olympics are currently underway, the Federal Government (FG) is making some moves. 

- It was announced a significant cut in investments planned for Federal universities. It shouldn't be forgotten however that these cuts are happening since the end of 2014.

- The interim President, Michel Temer is launching a project which aims the revitalization of the Sao Francisco River. This Project should cost more than R 1 Billion reals until 2019. It shouldn't be underestimated, because the water quality of this river is vital to more than 16 million Brazilians. Many areas have the problem of water scarcity, especially the northeast region.

- This government supports privatizations. Thus, Temer promised to announce a list of State-owned companies that will be privatized. Coincidentally or not, the announcement is scheduled for the 25th of this month, date for starting the trial of Dilma Rousseff, the President removed from office.

PORTUGAL: Secular stagnation

Recent numbers concerning Portugal GDP are very weak. It seems that Portugal is confronting a secular stagnation that will be solved only by some kind of economic revolution,

ANGOLA: Sonangol defaults

Sonangol was not able honour its international banking debts during the month of July. Also, apparently, the USA has sent signals that Isabel dos Santos designation as Chairperson of Sonangol was a bad idea, and due to that the company was not able to raise cash in the USA.

ANGOLA: Trouble at Sonangol. Deutsche Welle reports

The presence of Portuguese officials in Sonangol accentuates the tension between the old and the new administration, currently under the command of Isabel dos Santos.

Lack of experience from new consultants, distrust and the  threat intelligence leaks  of the Angolan state oil  call into question the company's business, already weakened by the crisis in the international oil market.

"Both sides, both former directors or new employees are sending information out to hinder the work of each other," the jurist Rui Verde.

Amid the "political war" on Sonangol, the Portuguese are mere instruments in the hands of the daughter of Angolan president, assesses the analyst in an interview with DW Africa. But at the same time have high potential to harm Isabel dos Santos plans.

BRAZIL:To raise or not to raise taxes, that is the question.

Tax increase is one of the main challenges Henrique Meirelles (finance minister) faces in the future. Tax burden will be higher or not depending on government revenues. These have been dropping since last year. It should be remembered public debt already exceeds 70% of the GDP.

That's why Meirelles assumes a number of measures which are needed to be adopted:

First of all, it's necessary to let the market stabilize. Only this way the economy will recover.

This interim government has already made clear that is a supporter of privatisations. The economic predicament Brazil lives demands tough measures. And privatisation can generate increased revenue.

Wait for the approval of the social security reform planned for 2017.

Make viable and effective a maximum level of government spending.

Tighten the belt applying efficient economic measures is a must for today.

BRAZIL: An Olympic mess

"An olympic mess"

The olympic games haven't started yet and severe criticism is already gaining ground. Everyone knew the work performed for the Olympics was overpriced and the budget leak wasn't innocent. As usual corruption associated to comissioned illicit acts is overshadowing the political and eonomical life of Brazil.

However, despiste this pattern already inveterately rooted in the country, things can be worse. On the eve of this huge event, chaos is the main trait one can find in the olympic village. Accomodation is turning into a nightmare to some foreign delegations. How can someone feel comfortable without water or energy, have clogged sinks and pipes, see garbage in an area which is supposed to keep materials, or witnessing a short-circuit?

In the waters of Guanabara bay (where some water sports competitions will take place) everything you can't imagine was found. And the waters are still dangerously polluted! Instead of blaming each other for this mess politicians and businessmen should firstly change their mentality.

Rio de Janeiro is seriously worried about terrorist attacks. I couldn't agree more. But, what about the violence that occurs in this city on a daily routine? Rio and other brazilian cities seem to live in a permanent civil war. Shouldn't we worry about it? After all, hasn't the life of a "carioca" (native from Rio de Janeiro) the same value as that of a foreigner?

A final note to the former President of Brazil, Lula da Silva. Finally it was held defendant, allegedly for trying to obstruct  investigation in the well-known operation "lava jato". 

ANGOLA: Sonangol will no longer by directly the assets of Cobalt

The chairman of Sonangol Isabel dos Santos confirmed to US Cobalt it will no longer buy directly the participation of that oil company in two blocks. 

Isabel dos Santos, confirmed the US Cobalt that the Angolan company will no longer buy directly the participation of that oil company in two blocks, previously traded for 1.5 billion dollars.

It seems that Isabel dos Santos is ripping contracts previously signed by the anterior board.