The challenge facing Brazilian lawmakers of reforming the country’s social security system to put public finances back on track is huge, but one they are meeting head on, finance minister Paulo Guedes said on Friday.

Presenting an image of unity with some of the key congressional figures whose support he needs to help build the political consensus required to secure approval, Guedes said commitment to pension reform across the spectrum is solid.

BRASILIA  - Brazilian Economy Minister Paulo Guedes on Wednesday put up a vigorous defence of the government’s proposed pension reform, insisting it is critical to fixing the country’s “doomed” social security system but opening the door to some concessions.

The collapse of Brazilian mining company Vale's tailing dam in Brumadinho, Minas Gerais, on 25 January, which caused significant devastation, including 300 deaths, is having a detrimental effect on Minas Gerais's public finances. The state, which is Brazil's main producer of iron ore, has fined the mining company and introduced health and safety regulations that have brought production to a halt.

Through the 0800 of the Folder it is possible to obtain information on ICMS, IPVA, Nota Fiscal Paulista among other services

The Ministry of Finance and Planning has 0800 170110 to provide free information on Tax on Property of Automotive Vehicles (IPVA), Tax on Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS), Nota Fiscal Paulista, among others.

Lider Aviacao offers charter, ground handling and maintenance from key bases around Brazil. Its CEO Eduardo Vaz says that even though the country's economy is struggling, the appetite for private flying is clear.

Controversial president’s economic reforms may prove a boost for the country’s art market, despite worries about censorship

Brazil posted a trade surplus of $4.99 billion in March, the Economy Ministry said on Monday, significantly smaller than the same month a year ago thanks to a strong rise in imports.

The trade surplus last month fell 22.3 percent to $4.99 billion from $6.42 billion a year ago, although that was up more than a third from February's surplus of $3.67 billion.

Former Brazilian President Michel Temer’s arrest on bribery charges last week is yet another reminder of the challenging investment climate in Brazil. The Car Wash scandal, which is still shaking out rotten fruit, is just one of many issues plaguing Brazil’s economy.

Brazil’s jobless rate rose sharply in February for the second straight month, government data showed on Friday, adding to pressure on new President Jair Bolsonaro to reignite a sluggish economic recovery.

Unemployment rose to 12.4 percent in the three months through February, according to statistics agency IGBE, up from 12.0 percent in the three months through January and 11.6 percent at the end of 2019.

Your pocket

Larger supply of products helped reduce wholesale and consumer prices

The price of food is getting smaller for consumers. Data from Companhia Nacional de Abastecimento (Conab) show that vegetables were cheaper at wholesale prices in  November.

Inclusion

This year, the Government of Brazil has already allocated about R $ 25 million to the proposals of solidarity and social economic enterprises

Celebrated this Friday (15), the National Day of Solidarity Economy honors the modality in which the workers themselves are the owners, touch the business and share results. The logic is different from  the conventional economy, where owners and employees work separately.