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Brazil / Chile, 2003
The 2003 Global Business Seminar (RP3) took place in Brazil and Chile. It began in Sao Paulo, Brazil, the largest city in Latin America, and the industrial and financial center for most of South America. The highlights of the first week were site visits with industrial giants like General Motors, a presence in Brazil since 1928, and Embraer, the leading maker of regional jet aircraft in the world, and a well-respected “lean enterprise.” But there were also briefings from both the U.S. Commercial Service, and the faculty from the University of Sao Paulo on the economic and political climate in Brazil, and the long-term outlook for the country and the region. The current mood in Brazil was quite hopeful given the recent election of their new president, but most business leaders conceded that the short-term future for Brazil would be a “very interesting time.” The week in Sao Paulo was followed by a weekend in Rio de Janiero; to some people, the most beautiful city in the world, but also the “soul” of Brazil. From our base on famed Copacabana Beach we explored the rich culture of Brazil taking in everything from soccer matches to samba! It was then off to Santiago, Chile, which was the most surprising city in the itinerary; a gleaming, glistening, jewel set against the Andes mountains, yet only two hours from the Pacific Ocean. Highlights for Santiago included visits to El Teniente, the largest copper mine in the world, and of course, to several of the best-known of Chiles vineyards. Copper and wine are the backbone of this country’s economy, but we also learned about their recent growth in aquaculture and in tourism during briefings by local university professors and by high-ranking government officials. The Seminar provided two weeks of learning and adventure in one of the most dynamic and fascinating regions of the world.
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