Trade Reform in Southern Africa: Vision 2014?

This research paper analyzes Brazil's trade policy and reform, noting a significant increase in trade surpluses and productivity following liberalization in the 1990s. However, it argues that Brazil remains relatively closed compared to other BRIC nations and is hindered by the 'Brazil Cost' (bureaucracy and infrastructure deficits). The author contends that current trade policy is overly driven by geopolitical goals—such as seeking a UN Security Council seat—rather than commercial strategy, and calls for a more transparent, strategic, and less bureaucratic trade regime.

• Brazil experienced a significant trade surplus increase from a deficit of USD 7 billion in 1997 to a surplus of over USD 46 billion by 2006. During the period from 2000 to 2006, Brazilian exports grew by an average of 17% annually, outpacing the world average of 11%.
• Economic liberalization in the 1990s led to a substantial increase in productivity, particularly in tradable industrial sectors. Productivity growth in Brazil between 1997 and 2000 (2.7%) was significantly higher than in the pre-liberalization period (0.35%), mirroring trends seen in South-East Asian countries like Korea and Taiwan.
• Despite positive trade numbers, Brazil's market openness remains low compared to other BRIC nations. In 2005, Brazil's market openness was 21.4%, while India's was 28%, Russia's was twice as large, and China's was 2.7 times larger.
• Brazil's trade policy has shifted toward being driven by geopolitics and foreign policy rather than purely commercial interests. This is evidenced by the pursuit of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) with South-South partners like India and South Africa, which the author suggests may be linked to Brazil's ambition for a United Nations Security Council seat.

APA

Marconini, M. (n.d.). Trade Reform in Southern Africa: Vision 2014? South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/dttp_pap_marconini_brazil_20071307.pdf

Chicago

Marconini, Mario. Trade Reform in Southern Africa: Vision 2014? South African Institute of International Affairs, n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/dttp_pap_marconini_brazil_20071307.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Marconini |first1=Mario |title=Trade Reform in Southern Africa: Vision 2014? |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/dttp_pap_marconini_brazil_20071307.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{marconinindtrade, author = {Marconini, Mario}, title = {{Trade Reform in Southern Africa: Vision 2014?}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/dttp_pap_marconini_brazil_20071307.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }