OREANDA-NEWS. September 20, 2012. Extending over a massive area and blessed with abundant food supplies and natural resources, Brazil enjoys ongoing growth supported by a young labor force—its population averages 29.3 years of age. One of the quickest countries to shake off the effects of the Lehman Brothers collapse, Brazil's development has decelerated slightly as a result of the EU crisis, but the rapid expansion of its middle-income population and the attendant growth in domestic consumption have set the stage for further development. Also, Brazil's government is laying the necessary foundations for sustained growth through efforts to cultivate and reinforce domestic industry and aggressive investments in social infrastructure. Furthermore, the country is augmenting urban transport and other public infrastructure ahead of the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Summer Olympic in 2016, driving additional economic advancement. In 2011, Brazil's GDP surpassed that of the United Kingdom, making Brazil the world's sixth largest economy in terms of GDP. For a host of reasons, Brazil is on the path to additional economic expansion and a rising world presence.

Mitsui's Relationship with Brazil
 
 
Mitsui has a strong relationship with Brazil harking back to the 1970s, when the Company took an equity stake in Brazilian iron ore producers in an effort to ensure a steady supply of materials to Japanese steelmakers. Mitsui currently participates in the management of Vale S.A. ("Vale"), a diversified Brazilian resource development company that boasts the world's highest level of iron ore production, through Valepar S.A. Mitsui is also jointly managing a phosphorous ore mining business with Vale in Peru. With Petroleo Brasiliero S.A. ("Petrobras"), Brazilian state-owned oil company, Mitsui is involved in a gas distribution business and the supply of floating production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs). In addition to partnering with some of Brazil's leading companies in these areas, Mitsui's deeply rooted presence in the country spans a host of other businesses, such as grain distribution, agricultural production, freight car leasing, auto parts logistics, and the production of biochemicals using sugarcane as a feedstock. Furthermore, through the Mitsui Bussan do Brasil Foundation, Mitsui has endowed a lecture program at the University of Sao Paolo to foster human resources by contributing to Japan-Brazil friendship and progress and provides ongoing financial assistance for the Kaeru (going home) project to guarantee that children who return from Japan will have a smoother transition to Brazilian schools and lifestyle. In these ways, Mitsui takes an active role in social contribution activities in Brazil, centered on education.

Growing with Brazil
 
 Mitsui and its affiliated companies in Brazil employ some 2,200 people, of whom 60 are Headquarter-hired staff. Mitsui has increased its risk exposure in Brazil to approximately Ґ570 billion.

 By strengthening the ties it has developed with local partners, Mitsui will continue to apply its comprehensive and integrated strengths to such areas as mineral and metal resources, energy, infrastructure, and foodstuffs and focus on businesses that target Brazil's domestic market. Mitsui aims to contribute to further economic growth by assisting the country in developing its potential and addressing the challenges it faces. Mitsui is also leveraging its global network to enable its Brazilian partners develop new businesses overseas.