MIAMI Airport -- From my recent trips to India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, South Africa, Botswana and Zambia, I have found that I'm absolutely fascinated to see how each country is developing (or not) their economies to be competitive in the 21st century. [OK - I'm a geek]
In the near future I want to explore in particular the economies of the BRIC countries - Brazil, Russia, India and China - although I think there are many useful things to learn from the smaller more focused countries like Vietnam.
At any rate, this trip is Brazil. And since I'm going all that way - 15 hours in the air - I concluded I should look around South America a bit while I'm there, so Peru and Argentina are on the itinerary.
Most economic commentators seem to believe that the BRIC countries will be America's most formidable competitors in the 21st century, in addition to Japan which is already killing our auto industry.
India, China and Russia are the most frequently discussed - India as the largest democracy in the world with a deep emphasis on education in math and science. China, the most populous country, with its decision to allow private property ownership and to encourage economic freedom. And Russia with the collapse of Communism, introduction of market freedoms and a well educated populace.
Brazil is less obvious and much less known to most Americans, beyond Carnival. In fact, Brazil is the fifth most populace country in the world with 188M citizens, exceeded only by China, India, America and Indonesia. The official language is Portuguese.
It has the 9th largest economy in the world - slightly larger than Russia's - at $1.6 trillion, but less than half of Japan's and India's economy, 25% of China's GDP and way behind the USA's $12.4 trillion.
My first stop is Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city in Brazil with 12 million inhabitants - slightly smaller than Mumbai, India. I've decide to rough it at the Copacabana Palace on the beach.
I land Rio at 8am on Feb 8th. My first research project - thoroughly understand the "beach economy".
Comments