National and foreign entrepreneurs who attended the opening ceremony of the Brasil Investment Forum 2017, being held in São Paulo until today (31), were introduced to a fast-changing country. The event, a partnership between the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Ministry of Planning, Development and Management and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (Apex-Brasil), has over 1,400 registrations, nearly 70% of which by CEOs, presidents and vice-presidents of companies from over 20 sectors and 41 countries around the world.

To the rhythm of samba, capoeira, rap and repente, musicians and dancers presented Brazil as a continental country with countless opportunities for investments, which is being consolidated as an export platform.

President Michel Temer told investors that they will find in Brazil a government steadfastly committed to completing reforms that are transforming the country and offering opportunities for all. "I want to send a clear message: The government has brought Brazil back to the development path, and we will not stray from it," he said. Temer highlighted his administration's commitment to fiscal austerity and dialogue between the Executive and Legislative branches around projects considered a priority for the population. "Our commitment to the future of the country is unbreakable", the president added.

Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes highlighted that the event comes at a positive moment for the Brazilian economy, with inflation under control and an agenda of "profound and audacious" reforms in progress. Nunes admitted the country is experiencing a time of political turmoil, but noted that this does not mean institutional instability. "The investigations, such as those under the Car Wash Operation, are still ongoing. The press is free, markets work. These are examples of this reality, of the strength of democracy," he added. On the international stage, the chancellor reinforced Brazil's commitment to multilateralism, adding that he hoped important trade agreements would be concluded quickly, including Mercosur's with the European Union.

For IDB President Luis Alberto Moreno, the forum offers investors the opportunity to look at Brazil beyond the pessimistic news of the political crisis. "I see this moment as an extremely important turning point for all of Latin America. Brazil, which has always been a reference in the region, is close to creating a new anti-corruption paradigm with respect to the law," the executive said. "We know Brazil is going through a difficult time, but we are here to offer a different perspective," he added, noting that the Brazilian economy is larger than that of Australia, Canada and Russia and will grow again this year with only one-digit inflation.

REFORMS

Lawmakers in attendance argued for the need to carry forward the reforms sent by the government to Congress. For the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Rodrigo Maia (PMDB-RJ), the joint agenda with the Executive has already guaranteed the approval of the amendment to the Constitution that established a cap on government spending, and will soon deliver to the country a modernised framework for labour laws. "We do not want Brazilian bureaucracy to hinder the capacity for national and foreign investment and job creation," Maia said. Senate President Eunício Oliveira (PMDB-CE) said the interaction between House and Senate in the votes for the reforms has been "almost perfect", and that the two houses have a historical role. "This is an agenda that goes beyond the government; it is an agenda for future generations," he said.

São Paulo governor Geraldo Alckmin (PSDB-SP) also praised the ongoing reforms, especially the new labour laws, which he described as "historic." "We went from a statutory model to a modern model". The mayor of São Paulo city, João Dória, stressed that Brazil "is much bigger than any crisis", and invited the entrepreneurs at the event to continue investing in the country. "We have been through other crises, even more serious ones, and we have always overcome them. It will not be different now," he added.