Brazil's Minister of Science and Technology, Sérgio Machado Rezende, called for a change in the attitude of Brazilian entrepreneurs and researchers in order for the country to become more competitive internationally.

"Brazil lacks a traditional culture of private company research. This is a process that is beginning to take hold with greater intensity in recent years. It is not just a question of fiscal and financial incentives. It is a question of a change in the culture of the companies and scientists involved," he remarked.

A study released last week by the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (Fiesp), The Fiesp Index of Competitiveness Among Nations, identified eight factors that restrict Brazil's international competitiveness.

These include the high cost of capital (very expensive credit), unsatisfactory economic liberalization, and insufficient investment in infrastructure and science and technology.

The study ranked Brazil 39th among the world's 43 most competitive countries. The study was based on data from 2003.

Agência Brasil

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