Brazil's critical mass in population, commodities and market institutions has lifted the country out of its historic and geographic isolation to make it a motor as well as a beneficiary of global growth. More 

Strategic question: Will Brazil reduce the size of its bloated public sector and increase efficiency?

Short-term question: Is there any prospect of the Lula administration taking up the reform agenda?

Strategic question: What is keeping Brazil from growing at levels on par with its emerging market peers?

Short-term question: Can President Lula push ahead with reforms that will create long-term growth?

Strategic question: In the light of Brazil's powerful comparative advantages in this sector, what role will biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel play in the world's transportation fuel matrix - and with what collateral impacts on other commodity prices?

Short-term question: Will Brazil be able to meet growing demand for biofuels across the globe?

Strategic questions: Can Brazil overcome its infrastructure bottlenecks and enter a path of long-term sustainable growth?

Short-term questions: Can the government create an environment which will attract private sector investors to the infrastructure sector? Will the governrment be able to move ahead with its PPP programme?

Strategic questions: Can the Brazilian government overcome its ideological limitations and develop a more open, business-friendly and growth-oriented trade policy? Can Brazil move beyond the export of commodities into more value-added products?

Short-term question: Can Brazil maintain its trade surplus given strengthening of its currency?

Short-term question: What is the impact of lower interest rates on consumer credit? What sectors will be most impacted by the expansion of lending? Will lower class Brazilians also be able to participate in the boom in consumption?

Long-term question: Is the growth in consumer spending sustainable?