Month: April 2021

Brazil’s ANP approves hybrid trading model for biodiesel

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Brazil’s National Petroleum Agency approved April 29 a proposal to shift biodiesel trading from the country’s current public auction model to a hybrid model, starting January 2022.

After more than 30 meetings with the participants in Brazil’s biodiesel market, the agency, the ANP, announced the parameters established for the hybrid trading mode, which would replace the auction model in place since 2008 when Brazil started to blend diesel fuel with biodiesel, resulting in a 2% biodiesel mix.

 

By Nicolle Monteiro de Castro via S&P Global Platts

 

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EDF Renewables to build 242-MW wind park in Brazil

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April 29 (Renewables Now) – EDF Renewables, a unit of French utility EDF (EPA:EDF), will be building a 242-MW wind farm in Brazil’s Paraiba, the state’s government announced this week.

Under a newly-signed protocol of intent, the European company will invest around BRL 1 billion (USD 187m/EUR 154m) in the development of the Serra do Serido wind farm in the towns of Junco de Serido and Santa Luzia.

 

By Lucas Morais

 

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Brazil begins to make own Covid-19 vaccine

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Production began on the first of an expected 18 million doses by mid-July, though Brazil’s Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) is yet to authorise the vaccine

Brazil’s Sao Paulo-based Butantan Institute, a state-run medical research facility, on Wednesday began to manufacture ButanVac, the first Brazilian vaccine against the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19), state governor Joao Doria announced.
Via Mint

Brazil’s Positive Ventures Closes on 10M Fund for Impact Investing

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Positive Ventures, a São Paulo-based venture firm, has secured $10 million for its latest fund.

Positive Ventures has raised the capital from an impressive list of LPs, including investor Luis Stuhlberger, founding partner of Verde Asset Management and Teresa and Cândido Bracher, who was the chairman of Itaú-Unibanco, Brazil’s largest bank.

 

Mary Ann Azevedo via Tech Crunch

 

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US: student exemption to Covid travel rule for China, Brazil, Europe

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The NIE rule applies for any F-1 or M-1 visa holder if their academic program begins August 1 2021 or later. Those applicants who are found to be otherwise qualified for an F-1 or M-1 visa will automatically be considered for an NIE to travel.

This news, announced April 26 by the state department, will be welcome, but more needs to be done say senior stakeholders, particularly regarding the reported problems (in China especially) accessing appointments to seek a US visa. NAFSA is calling for in-person interviews to cease to be mandatory to help resume processing at pace.

 

Via The Pie News

 

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Brazil Investment Forum 2021

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The Brasil Investment Forum 2021 (BIF) is an international event about attracting foreign investments to Brazil, organized by Apex-Brasil, the Interamerican Development Bank (IDB) and the Brazilian Federal Government, which will be held online on May 31 and June 1st, 2021.

Known as the largest event for foreign investment in Latin America, BIF will bring together federal, state and local government authorities and executives from large companies from Brazil and the world, as well as representatives from academia, the press and opinion makers.

In this edition the Forum will highlight investment opportunities in strategic sectors such as agribusiness, energy, infrastructure, innovation, health and technology, among others. This will be a unique opportunity to discuss improvements in the country’s business environment.

This year BIF will be held online. The event will feature high-level panel discussions with government representatives and CEOs from leading multinationals, a presentation room for public and private projects in Brazil that are seeking foreign direct investment and the opportunity for networking with representatives of state governments and participants.

 

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BRAZIL DATA: March biodiesel production rises despite higher feedstock costs

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Rio de Janeiro — Brazil boosted biodiesel production year on year in March after Latin America’s biggest country increased its biodiesel-diesel blend March 1, but high raw-materials prices remain a challenge to additional growth in 2021, according to data released April 26 by the National Petroleum Agency, or ANP.

Brazil produced 639.9 million liters of biodiesel in March, an increase of 16.3% from 550.3 million liters in March 2020, the ANP said. March’s biodiesel production also advanced 21.9% from February’s 524.9 million liters.

 

By Jeff Fick via S&P Global Platts

 

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Embraer and Brazilian air force to study development of advanced UAV

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Embraer and the Brazilian air force have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly study the design and development of an “advanced unmanned aircraft system”.

Few details about the unmanned air vehicle (UAV) were revealed by Embraer in its announcement on 23 April. However, the company distributed a rendering, for “illustrated purposes only”, of a stealthy UAV with short swept wings, perhaps indicating a combat role.

 

By Garrett Reim via Flight Global

 

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Brazil Tech Round-Up: Cabify Ends Brazil Operations, Locaweb Makes Its Largest Acquisition, PicPay Readies IPO

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Spanish mobility firm Cabify has announced on Friday (23) that it will end its Brazil operations in June. Among the reasons prompting the decision, the mobility company noted Brazil is “still very affected by its serious healthcare situation and the local socioeconomic crisis caused by Covid-19”. This broader context limits value creation, the startup said, adding that it is “committed to profitability.”

“The company will continue to be attentive to needs and opportunities future mobility in this market”, Cabify said in a statement. Contacted by Forbes, the firm declined to confirm how many employees will be affected by the decision.

 

By Angelica Maria via Forbes

 

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Mattos Filho announces the admission of Capital Markets partner Caio Cossermelli

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Dear clients and business partners,

It is with great pleasure that we announce the admission of another partner to our law firm. Already well-known and recognized in the market, Caio Cossermelli has now joined our Capital Markets practice area. His arrival will further strengthen our work in this area, which was marked by a high number of initial public share offerings (IPOs) in Brazil during 2020. Forecasts indicate that this is expected to continue throughout 2021.

A law graduate at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, Caio also holds a Master of Laws from the Northwestern Pritzker School of Law in Chicago. Possessing extensive experience in IPOs and follow-ons, he advises clients in registering publicly-held companies, establishing securities distribution programs (such as units) as well as in everyday corporate and regulatory activities. Caio also advises on mergers and acquisitions, debt and securitization offers, financing and structured transactions (including infrastructure projects), along with international transactions across multiple jurisdictions involving loans and securities.

Mattos Filho leads the rankings for transactions in capital markets in Brazil, with the largest exclusively dedicated legal team in this area. Caio’s arrival reinforces the firm’s commitment to continue growing in light of the prospects for expansion within the area, as we assist our clients in navigating planned regulatory changes within the capital markets sector. We will thus be able to continue offering complete and comprehensive legal advice, with a focus on innovative and multidisciplinary projects.

 

Learn more about our Capital Markets practice area on the Mattos Filho website.

Brazil to invest USD 70m in solar power for Amazon region

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April 23 (Renewables Now) – The Brazilian Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) will initially invest BRL 386 million (USD 70.3m/EUR 58.5m) to supply clean energy to isolated communities in the Amazonian archipelago of Marajo.

This initial agreement will benefit 50,000 people that live in the municipalities of Curralinho, Melgaco and Portel, in the state of Para, through electricity transmission networks and solar energy generation systems, MME announced this week.

 

By Lucas Morais via Renewables Now

 

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Brazil’s April soybean exports gain momentum on third-week surge: sources

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Brazilian soybeans exports in the first three weeks of April surpassed the year-ago level due to higher exports in the third week of the month, sources said April 20, which is likely to support domestic oilseed prices.

According to the foreign trade department’s report released April 19, Brazil exported 10.6 million mt of beans so far in April, compared with the equivalent 2020 volume of 9.16 million mt.

 

Via Hellenic Shipping News

 

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Joint effort needed for Brazil gas market opening: ANP

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Some states are already working to open gas markets to more competition, such as Amazonia and Rio Grande do Norte.

A presidential decree expected by mid-May should add more detail to the new law and will be followed by updates and resolutions from the ANP. The regulator may restructure its personnel in order to carry out the legislation.

 

By Flavia Pierry via Argus Media

 

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Brazil sees solar boom ahead of cut in subsidies for new projects

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Power utilities and developers are rushing to register solar projects in Brazil, one of the most promising markets for renewables, as it prepares to cut subsidies for new solar installations and wind farms, according to a report by consultancy ePowerBay.

Spain´s Iberdrola (IBE.MC), France´s Voltalia (VLTSA.PA), EDF (EDF.PA), Italy´s Enel (ENEI.MI) and Portugal´s EDP Renewables are among the main players developing solar projects in Brazil, as well as Atlas Energia, controlled by the British private equity firm Actis, ePowerBay said on Tuesday.

By Luciano Costa via Reuters

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France, Brazil Push Carrefour Revenue Ahead 4.2% in Q1

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PARIS — Carrefour reported sales rose 4.2 percent to 18.56 billion euros over the first quarter, spurred on by consumption in France, where it has bulked up e-commerce services, as well as fast growth in Brazil.

“Our growth model, based on operational excellence, competitiveness and the power of our omnichannel offer, translates into market-share gains in our main countries,” said chief executive officer Alexandre Bompard. Under Bompard’s direction, Carrefour has bolstered its e-commerce through partnerships with technology companies, and increased organic food offers.

 

By Mimosa Spencer via Yahoo Finance

 

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Brazil’s GDP on track to better results than expected

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Brazil’s Economic Activity Index (IBC-Br), released by the Central Bank and believed to be an omen of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose 1.70% in February 2021, against January’s figures, it was announced Monday.

The new data show a positive variation of 0.98% year to year, against the -0.4% analysts had envisioned. The official forecast of the Central Bank on GDP expansion for 2021 is 3.6%.

 

Via Merco Press

 

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US-Brazil New Energy Investment Forum

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Do you want to know why Brazil was selected as the third most attractive country for clean energy investment (Climatescopes 2020)? Join Apex Brasil at the online event US-Brazil New Energy Investment Forum, April 29, at 2 pm (Brasilia time) / 1 pm (Eastern Standard Time) and learn how you can start investing in the Brazilian new energy sector.
 
Access the Program here: https://lnkd.in/epNpsFD
Apex-Brasil – Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce – Ministério das Relações Exteriores.

Brazil’s PIX surpasses 1 billion transactions

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The news: Brazil’s central bank-run instant payments system processed 1.05 billion transactions worth BRL787 billion ($152.6 billion) between November and March, per Mobile Time.

Here’s how it works: PIX, which launched in November, lets users make real-time money transfers 24/7 to individuals or businesses without needing a bank account. To use the smartphone-based service, users have to register “keys” like their social security numbers, mobile phone numbers, or email addresses with a bank or fintech as an authentication method.

 

By Adriana Nunez via eMarketer

 

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Brazil completes first-ever video call on standalone 5G

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The first ever video call on standalone 5G in Latin America has been completed in Brazil as part of a series of supplier demonstrations to the government ahead of the upcoming fifth-generation spectrum auction.

The video call, made on Friday (9) from Nokia’s Brazilian headquarters in São Paulo, connected Brazil’s communications minister Fabio Faria to president Jair Bolsonaro, who was in Brasília at the time.

 

By Angelica Mari via ZD Net

 

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Norway’s Hydro to buy LNG for Brazil plant in carbon-reduction push

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Norwegian metals maker Norsk Hydro (NHY.OL) said on Friday it has struck a preliminary deal with New Fortress Energy (NFE.O) to buy liquefied natural gas (LNG) for its Alunorte alumina refinery in Brazil, switching the energy source from fuel oil.

Supply of LNG by the U.S.-based energy company to the Barcarena municipality is expected to start in 2022 under a 15-year deal, according to Hydro.

Via Reuters

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Brazil Looks To Finance Fuel Subsidies With Oil Auctions

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Brazil is studying the possibility to finance a future fund to subsidize domestic fuel prices with part of the proceeds it expects to receive from an offshore oil auction later this year, a source with direct knowledge of the government’s plans told Reuters this week.

Fuel prices and the hikes in those prices early this year became the bone of contention between Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and state oil firm Petrobras—a spat that ended with Bolsonaro ousting the chief executive of the Brazilian national oil company, Roberto Castello Branco.

 

By Tsvetana Paraskova via Yahoo Finance

 

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Eletrobras to investigate green hydrogen production in Brazil

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Brazil state utility Eletrobras and its research arm Cepel are partnering with Siemens Energy to develop green hydrogen production.

Under the agreement, the three partners are to implement joint studies covering the full hydrogen technology cycle from production to consumption, accompanied by the development of a scalable pilot production plant.
Based on the outcomes, the companies anticipate moving towards the implementation of a commercial-scale production plant to produce hydrogen with a zero carbon footprint.

 

By Jonathan Spencer Jones via Power Engineering International

 

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Brazil Central Bank Pledges to Stop Core Inflation Contagion

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Brazil’s central bank is closely monitoring if a recent spike in commodity prices will continue to affect core inflation, and particularly expectations for 2022, as it calibrates monetary policy, according to its President Roberto Campos Neto.

The bank delivered an outsized rate hike last month and promised another in May as it realized that what it deems as temporary price shocks were having a more lasting impact on inflation, even when excluding more volatile items such as food and energy.

 

By Andrew Rosati and Shery Ahn

 

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Improving Brazil’s Business Environment

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On 30th March 2021, two legislative measures were published in Brazil. The first, Law 14,129/2021 (“The Law”) implements the Brazilian Digital Government Policy (“DGP”), while the second, Provisional Measure 1,040/2021 (“The Measure”) aims to improve the business environment in Brazil, with the objective of improving its position in the World Bank’s “Doing Business” ranking. While they are distinct acts, there is a strong common theme to both: reducing bureaucracy in both the public administration and the private sector.

The Law provides for the principles, rules and instruments for the implementation of the DGP. It aims to improve the efficiency of public administration through digitalising records and using technology to make public services more widely accessible to the population, including those on low incomes or residing in rural and isolated areas.

The Measure sets forth legislative changes to promote and foster the creation and development of businesses in Brazil. Brazil is currently ranked 124 in the world on the World Bank’s “Doing Business” rankings[1]. This Measure directly addresses some of the issues currently faced by those wishing to start or grow businesses in Brazil, in accordance with the recommendations of the World Bank, and with the aim of improving that ranking.

 

By Ted Rhodes and Valerio Salgado

 

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Brazil publishes national artificial intelligence strategy

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The Brazilian government has published the country’s artificial intelligence (AI) strategy to guide actions around research, innovation and the development of related technologies to tackle the country’s greatest challenges, as well as ethics.

The publication of the strategy follows a process of over a year since the launch of the consultation to gather input for the plan in late 2019, after a period of engagement with AI consulting firms and an international benchmarking process. According to the Brazilian government, the consultation lasted until March 2020 and more than 1,000 contributions were received.

 

By Angelica Mari via ZD Net

 

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Brazil’s 2021 interest rate outlook rises to 5.25%, survey shows

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BRASILIA, April 12 (Reuters) – Brazil’s 2021 interest rate outlook rose to 5.25%, a central bank survey of economists published on Monday showed, after policymakers’ repeated comments that aggressive tightening now means borrowing costs will not have to rise as much in the end.

The median forecast for the benchmark Selic rate from over 100 economists in the central bank’s weekly ‘FOCUS’ survey increased from 5.00% the week before, and 4.50% four weeks ago.

By Jamie McGeever via Reuters

Petrobras publishes the 2020 Sustainability Report with advances in ESG

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Operation safety and investments over R$ 145 million in projects and donations to society reflect the company’s socioenvironmental action over the last year

april 08, 2021
In a year marked by the Covid-19 pandemic and its consequences, Petrobras was able to achieve positive economic results and, at the same time, expand its commitments to sustainability and improve environmental and social indicators, as well as support the fight against the effects of the pandemic in the Brazilian society. The information regarding the company’s operational, economic, social, environmental, and governance performance is compiled in the Sustainability Report 2020, published this Wednesday in the English version.

 

“Petrobras’ performance in an extremely challenging year reveals our relentless pursuit of the dual objective of maximizing return for shareholders and society,” said CEO Roberto Castello Branco. The document details Petrobras’ support for society’s actions to fight the Covid-19 by donating tests, hospital and hygiene materials, fuel for ambulances and hospital vehicles, and food for low-income families. The company also made financial donations to scientific projects to fight the pandemic and provided computing capacity to support research efforts. The donations in response to Covid-19 and to other disaster situations in Brazil – such as the floods in the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, fires in the Pantanal and blackouts in Amapá – totaled, in 2020, the amount of R$25.5 million, donated by Petrobras and its equity stakes, in addition to expenses to carry out the management of these projects.

 

Read Full Report Here

UPDATE 1-Brazil FX dynamics improving, market more balanced -central bank director

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BRASILIA, April 8 (Reuters) – The dynamics driving Brazil’s currency are improving and the market is now more balanced, despite lingering fiscal uncertainty, central bank monetary policy director Bruno Serra said on Thursday.

In an online debate hosted by event management company Consulting House, Serra said the central bank’s market interventions earlier this year have helped greatly, while the capital flows picture for the real is also brighter.

 

By Jamie McGeever and Gabriel Ponte via Reuters

 

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Fund manager Ashmore snaps up Brazil, China local currency bonds

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LONDON, April 9 (Reuters) – Fund manager Ashmore Group has bought Brazilian and Chinese local currency bonds as it remains focused on broader emerging market local debt, betting on strong performance during 2021.

Brazilian markets have had a tough start to 2021, with local currency bonds selling off by around 170 basis points and the real currency sliding 7% against the dollar as concerns about politics surfaced and as the country battles the world’s worst daily COVID-19 death toll.

 

By Tom Arnold via Reuters

 

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Vehicle exports from Brazil up in Q1

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São Paulo – Vehicle exports from Brazil were up 7.6% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2021, the National Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association (Anfavea) reported this Wednesday (7).

Q1 saw 95,800 units shipped from Brazil, including light vehicles, trucks and buses. Light vehicles accounted for the near-entirety of exports at 89,600 units. Foreign sales also included 5,200 trucks and 845 buses.

 

Via Brazil-Arab News Agency

 

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Soya sales from Brazil set record in March

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São Paulo – Soya exports from Brazil climbed 12% year-on-year in March, the National Cereal Exporters Association (Anec) reported. Sales amounted to 14.9 million tons, a monthly record.

Year-to-date, however, exports slid by 5%, according to the Anec’s website, to 20.4 million tons in Q1 2021, from 21.6 million tons in Q1 2020. Sales were weaker in January, and marginally so in February.

 

Via Brazil-Arab News Agency

 

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Brazil to produce 141 million mt soybeans in 2021-22 on record acreage: USDA FAS

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New Delhi — Brazil is forecast to produce an all-time high soybean volume of 141 million mt in 2021-22 marketing year (February 2022–January 2023) on record acreage of 40 million hectares, according to the US Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service, which is likely to pressure US-origin soybean demand next season.

Soybean expansion is forecast on current market conditions and trends — including strong demand, high prices and a favorable exchange rate, FAS said. All these conditions are expected to persist into the 2021-22 season, it said in the report released April 6.

 

By Asim Anand via S&P Platts

 

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BRAZIL HARVESTS 78% OF SOYBEAN CROP, SECOND CORN PLANTINGS FINISHED, CONSULTANCY SAYS

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SAO PAULO, April 5 (Reuters) – Brazilian farmers had harvested 78% of the area planted with the 2020/2021 soybean crop as of last Thursday, compared with 83% at the same point last year, agribusiness consultancy AgRural said on Monday.

As the soybean season draws to a close, Brazilian farmers were able to finish planting their second corn crop, as much of it is grown in the same areas as the oilseeds, AgRural said.

 

By Ana Mano via Successful Farming

 

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Pinterest Launches Pinterest Ads in Brazil, Expanding Marketing Opportunities

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Pinterest continues to expand its ad business, with brands in Brazil now able to launch paid promotions via Pin.

As explained by Pinterest:

“46 million people in Brazil use Pinterest to find ideas. To shop. To decide what’s next. They’ve long depended on Pinterest for inspiration and product discovery. And starting today, Brazilian marketers can use Pinterest ads to better reach this highly engaged audience.”

 

By Andrew Hutchinson via Social Media Today

 

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FinanZero, Brazil’s free online credit marketplace, raises $7M

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FinanZero, a Brazilian online credit marketplace, announced today that it has closed a $7 million round of funding – its fourth since it launched in 2016 was founded in 2016. It has raised a total of $22.85 million to date.

The real-time online loan broker allows people to apply for a personal loan, a car equity loan, or a home equity loan for free and receive an answer in minutes. A key to FinanZero’s success is that it doesn’t offer the loans itself, but has instead partnered with about 51 banks and fintechs who back the loans.

 

By Marcella McCarthy via TechCrunch

 

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WhatsApp gains regulatory approval to relaunch payments service in Brazil

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The Facebook-owned messaging platform has the green light to launch its payments service in Brazil after gaining approval from the country’s central bank, per Reuters. WhatsApp is only allowed to operate its peer-to-peer (P2P) payments service; though Facebook is still seeking approval, it can’t yet extend this service to merchants.

WhatsApp has hit roadblocks launching its payments service globally, with regulators citing antitrust concerns.

 

By Adriana Nunez via eMarketer

 

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Anhydrous ethanol premium over hydrous in Center-South Brazil at record high

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New York — The spot premium of anhydrous ethanol over hydrous in Brazil’s Center-South for the 2020-21 crop, which ended March 31, averaged 14.3%, up 3% from the prior crop and at the highest premium since S&P Global Platts started to track it for the 2014-15 crop.

Platts considered hydrous and anhydrous free of taxes to calculate the spot premium.

The highest premium was recorded at 26.8% during the three first days of the 2020-21 crop, while the lowest at 4.2% was on March 10.

 

By Nicole Monteiro de Castro

 

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Brazil exempts 65 items from import tax to fight COVID-19

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Brasília – Gecex, a technical body within the Brazilian foreign trade chamber Camex, said on Monday, 29, it zeroed import taxes on 65 products to ease the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak on the population. Now, Brazil has 628 coronavirus-related products with zero import taxes.

Eligible goods include medicines for pain relief, sedation, intubation, and artificial respiration, including anesthetics, tranquilizers, painkillers and antibiotics. The measure also encompasses monitors for clinical beds and Intensive Care Units (ICUs), equipment for breath gas analyses, and ICU monitoring central servers, as well as truck bodies and tank trucks to transport dangerous goods, such as oxygen.

 

Via Brazil-Arab News Agency

 

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