Understanding the Impact of Securities Markets Reform on the Economy of Brazil

Introduction

Fiscal strength of a nation is the backbone on which a country’s economic and political health rests. It determines a nation’s relationships and achievements on an international level. The genesis of strength and mightiness of one of the ‘next superpowers’ will always return to its economic stability and impregnability. It is a fact that a strong financial structure boosts trade and commerce of an economy. However, another fact is that such a financial structure rests upon the ever perpetuating and dynamic nature of the same. The last decade of the last century is marked by some incredible events which changed the balance of power on a global level. The changes include political and economic variations which lead to the emergence of new power blocks.

The determination of the strength prior to the last two decades was based upon the military strength of a country; however, today the sole determinant of a super power is the economic capacity and potential of the countries. The fact that a country can cater to the needs of the markets of other economies as well as its own makes them a potential super power. Therefore, this philosophy has led to the emergence of different trades and commerce, along with economic reform programmes that cater to the needs of these economies. Naturally with a new form of trade, business, and commerce, new sets of regulations follow to conduct such business without any encumbrances. Therefore, time and again various countries must revise and renovate their financial sector to make them more friendly and acceptable to the novelty of the modern financial sector.

The present chapter shall deal with the implications of securities reform in Brazil by:

• 1.

  Reflecting the potential of Brazil to become a super power.

• 2.

  Implications of the securities market reforms in Brazil.

• 3.

  The international standards and how Brazil has responded to them.

• 4.

  Implications of the Reforms made by Brazil on its domestic and global market.

• 5.

  Lessons that Brazil could learn from the other BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) nations.

Finally, the chapter concludes with a reflection on the prospects of Brazilian securities market and the reforms that Brazil must introduce to improve its position and strengthen its market to make it more investor friendly.

Brazil As A Potential Superpower:

International changes post-1990 and later in 2008 created a paradigm shift in the so-called “world-power-play”. The crisis of 2008-09 changed the economic structure around the world substantially and thereby created a “power-pocket” that encompassed the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS). These countries are considered the next superpowers. Hence, they stand as competition not just with each other, but also with other eminent economic powers of the world. If the recession of 2008-09 stood as a true advantage for a country, then it would not be an exaggeration to state that the winners were primarily China and Brazil. While China offers cheap labour, stable markets, and high productivity and lending capacity, the Latin American economy of Brazil represents different types of advantages.