Brazil cabinet inducts new ministers
March 17, 2013, 11:21 am

No changes have been made to Brazil’s economic team headed by Guido Mantega (pictured above) [Getty Images]

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff announced new ministers for agriculture, civil aviation and labour.

Antonio Andrade from Minas Gerais state was named minister of agriculture, replacing Mendes Ribeiro.

He belongs to the PMDB, Brazil’s largest political party and a coalition partner in President Rousseff’s government.

Rousseff noted the importance of giving representation in the Cabinet to all regions of the country and to the diversity of political forces in order to guarantee governability.

“The possibility of building coalitions is crucial for a country like Brazil, with 27 states and such territorial dimensions,” the head of state said in an address to ministers and politicians at the Planalto presidential palace.

Moreira Franco has replaced Wagner Bittencourt as minister of civil aviation.

Manoel Dias, the secretary general of the PDT party, will move to the Labour ministry, replacing Brizola Neto.

The economic team headed by Guido Mantega, finance minister, has been left intact with no changes made.

Despite a weak economic show last year, Brazil’s economy is rebounding, according to a new research report.

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has released its latest GBTA BTI Outlook report on Brazil as part of its semi-annual series.

The report indicates that strengthening domestic and global economies will place Brazil on a strong growth path in 2013, with the index increasing by over 40 points.

Brazil is due for elections in 2014 with Ms Rousseff likely to run for re-election in 2014.

After posting a weak 0.9 per cent GDP in 2012, the president has implemented a series of measures to boost growth.

Rousseff announced the elimination of the 9.25 per cent PIS/Cofins taxes on staple foods on March 9.

Source: Agencies