Brazil business prospects remain bright for the foreseeable future. Largest national economy in Latin America, second largest in the western hemisphere and one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world, Brazil continues to expand its presence in the international financial and commodities markets. Its mixed economy, with abundant natural resources, is characterized by large and well-developed mining, agricultural, manufacturing, and service sectors, as well as a large labor pool. Major export products include aircraft, electrical equipment, automobiles, ethanol, textiles, footwear, iron ore, steel, coffee, orange juice, soybeans and beef. Important steps taken since the 1990s toward fiscal sustainability, as well as measures taken to liberalize and open the economy, have significantly boosted it’s competitiveness fundamentals, providing a better environment for private-sector development.