Top 10 challenges of doing business in Brazil in 2023
Brazil’s thriving economy and dynamic market make it an appealing destination for investors and businesses seeking to expand their operation. However, navigating Brazil’s complex regulations and bureaucratic systems can be a daunting task for businesses that venture into the Brazilian market. Discover the top 10 challenges of doing business in Brazil in 2023.
Brazil’s current economic landscape:
As of 2023, Brazil's economy is experiencing a period of moderate growth following several years of economic turmoil. Brazil's GDP is expected to grow by 1.2% in 2023, according to the International Monetary Fund, driven by a combination of increasing exports, rising domestic consumption, and investment in infrastructure projects.
One of the major factors driving Brazil's economic recovery is the global demand for commodities, particularly soybeans and iron ore, which are some of Brazil's largest exports.
Brazil is also investing heavily in infrastructure projects. This includes the construction of new highways, ports, and airports. These investments are expected to boost economic growth by increasing productivity, creating jobs, and improving transportation and logistics.
However, Brazil still faces many economic challenges that could hinder its growth. One of the main concerns is the country's high public debt, which accounted for 73.4 % of the country's Nominal GDP in Dec 2022. The government has implemented a series of austerity measures to reduce the deficit, but there are concerns that these measures could hurt economic growth in the short term.
Another challenge is Brazil's high unemployment rate, which stood around 7.9% in Dec 2022. While the government's infrastructure investments are expected to create jobs, there are concerns that the overall pace of job creation may not be sufficient to meet the needs of Brazil's growing population.
Brazil's thriving economy and dynamic market make it an appealing destination for businesses seeking to expand their operations. However, despite its extensive natural resources, diverse industries, and sizable consumer base, the country is still plagued by numerous challenges that can make it difficult for businesses to operate efficiently and effectively. Navigating the country's complex regulations and bureaucratic systems can be a daunting task for even the most experienced business leaders. This is why Brazil tops TMF Group’s 2022 Global Business Complexity Index report as the most complex jurisdiction to do business in.
This article aims to examine the top challenges and major hurdles that businesses must overcome to succeed in the Brazilian market.
1. Bureaucracy
Navigating the Brazilian bureaucracy can be a major challenge, as the country is home to multiple layers of government, departments, and agencies, with rules and regulations that are constantly changing. This can lead to costly delays in business operations and increase the cost of doing business. To succeed in Brazil, companies must remain vigilant and prepared to quickly respond to any changes.
2. Tax complexity
The Brazilian tax system is notoriously complex, with numerous taxes, rules, and regulations that can be difficult to navigate. This complexity makes it difficult for businesses to comply with the laws, leading to costly fines and penalties. Additionally, there is a lack of clarity when it comes to filing taxes, making it difficult to understand and calculate them. Companies must stay up to date with tax knowledge and be prepared to respond to changes in order to remain compliant.
3. Incorporation made easy
Incorporation in Brazil can be a difficult process due to the complexity of the legal system. Entrepreneurs must obtain the necessary permits and licenses, with the process often being lengthy and expensive. Furthermore, the slow-moving bureaucracy and difficulty in obtaining financing are major obstacles for many entrepreneurs. To make incorporation easier, the Brazilian government has been working in the part years to simplify the regulatory framework, provide incentives for businesses to incorporate, promote healthy competition in the financing system, and develop a user-friendly online system for entrepreneurs to register their businesses.
4. Corruption
Corruption is a major challenge for doing business in Brazil. Despite progress in recent years, the country continues to be perceived as highly corrupt. Companies must implement robust anti-corruption measures, actively promote transparency and ethical business practices, and stay vigilant against emerging corruption risks in order to mitigate them.
5. Local labour force
The local labour force in Brazil is a major challenge for businesses in 2023. Economic and political instability, and high levels of unemployment and underemployment have caused the emigration of many skilled workers, while globalization and the global shift to remote working model has also enable the most skilled workers to remotely work to companies in other jurisdictions. The lack of skilled workers and overprotective labour laws put a strain on businesses trying to operate in the country. Companies must invest in training programs to improve the skills of their existing workforce, as well as to attract and retain qualified candidates from other regions. In addition, the education system must be improved to ensure a sufficient supply of skills. Further, stay up to date and compliant with labour laws is essential to mitigate time consuming and costly labor claims and penalties.
6. Inflation
Inflation has been an issue in Brazil for many years, with the Central Bank of Brazil raising interest rates multiple times in 2021 and 2022 in an effort to combat it. This has led to a decrease in private investment, further hampering economic growth. Companies must constantly adjust their prices to keep up with inflation, which can erode profit margins and reduce competitiveness. In addition, high inflation makes it difficult for companies to plan long-term investments and expansions, as the future economic environment is uncertain.
7. Technology
In 2023, technology continues to be a challenge for doing business in Brazil. Despite significant investments in the tech sector, the country still faces infrastructure shortage, as well as regulatory and tax barriers. Companies must carefully navigate Brazil's tech landscape to take advantage of the opportunities for growth.
8. Infrastructure
Brazil's infrastructure has posed a major challenge to businesses operating within the country for many years, and this is expected to continue in 2023 and beyond. Poor infrastructure, such as roads, railways, and airports, is a major obstacle to doing business in Brazil, as it limits the ability of companies to efficiently transport goods, services, and personnel. Companies may need to invest heavily in their own infrastructure to ensure that operations are not hampered.
9. Import barriers
Import barriers are an important challenge for businesses in Brazil in 2023. These barriers can include high taxes, complex regulations, and costly bureaucratic processes. High taxes can increase the cost of imported goods and services, making it difficult for businesses to access the resources they need from abroad and to remain competitive in the global market.
10. Informality
Informality, which refers to economic activities that occur outside of formal regulations, is a significant challenge for doing business in Brazil in 2023. Informal businesses do not comply with the regulations and taxes as formal businesses do, allowing them to operate at a lower cost and undercutting their formal competitors. Additionally, the use of informal labour can create legal and reputational risks for companies operating in Brazil. Companies must take steps to ensure that they and their providers operate within the formal economy, comply with regulations and tax laws, and promote ethical labour practices to mitigate these risks.
Conclusion
Doing business in Brazil can be a complex and challenging endeavour, as companies must navigate numerous obstacles to succeed in this market. However, despite these challenges, Brazil is still an attractive market for businesses due to its diverse industries, abundance of natural resources, and sizable consumer base. Although the challenges are significant, the opportunities for growth and expansion in the Brazilian market are also considerable. With proper planning and execution, businesses can successfully navigate the challenges of doing business in Brazil and thrive in this dynamic and exciting market.
TMF Group
We have the local knowledge to help you navigate these minefields. Whether you want to set up in Brazil or just want to streamline your Brazilian operations, talk to us.
