Last year, the number of tourists visiting Brazil grew by 4.5 percent, compared to 2011, according to the Brazilian tourism board, Embratur. In 2012, 5.7 million international tourists discovered this South American destination, representing a 4.5 percent increase in a year. Argentina remains the number one source of tourists, followed by North America and Germany. Chinese tourist numbers also gained momentum; in the space of a year the number of tourists visiting Brazil from China grew by a whopping 18 percent.

Sao Paulo, May 6 (EFE).- Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced here Monday a reduction in the interest rate on public loans for owners of small businesses from 8.0 percent to 5.0 percent. "The question of small businesses is indispensable for the country's future and present," said Rousseff during the ceremony installing the new board of directors of the Sao Paulo state Federation of Trade Associations. The change in the government lending program is scheduled to take effect in late May.

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said on Friday that the government intends to double per capita income by 2022, when Brazil celebrates 200 years of independence from Portugal. "We will soon celebrate the 200th anniversary of our independence, and on that day, we will have to look back and see what we did to build our sovereignty, our development, and the well-being of our people ... our goal is ...to double our per capita income, " Rousseff told a business ceremony. Last year, Brazil's per capita income remained stable at 22,402 reals (11,429 U.S.

Brazil's Central Bank said Thursday it expected the economy to grow 3.1 percent this year, up from just 0.9 percent in 2012, with inflation of 5.7 percent. In its quarterly report, the bank said inflation is forecast to be 5.3 percent in 2014 -- above the center of the official target range, which is 4.5 percent, but below the upper limit of 6.5 percent. In its previous report, the bank forecast consumer prices would rise 4.8 percent this year and 4.9 percent in 2014.