Day: January 11, 2021

Government eases collection of $55.5 bn in debts

The federal government suspended, renegotiated or postponed the collection of instalments of almost R$300 billion ($55.5 bn) in debts it had to receive from companies and individuals in 2020. Since March, the Attorney General’s Office of the National Treasury (PGFN) has adopted flexible measures to collect debt to reduce pressure on debtors who lost revenue amid the pandemic. The fiscal aid covered small to large debtors, with debts starting at R$15 million ($2.7 mm).

Source: Valor Intenational

Panama attorney general to seek Odebrecht’s unpaid fines of $35.5 mm

The Panamanian attorney general’s office will ask a judge to order Odebrecht to pay fines due in 2019 and 2020 after the corruption-ensnared Brazilian conglomerate failed to pay. Panamanian authorities fined Odebrecht in 2017 for paying bribes in exchange for construction contracts in the Central American country. The company owes more than $35.5 million, a judicial source at the attorney general’s office said.

Source: Reuters

Trade turnover drops 6.3% in December, says ACSP

December 2020 Sales Balance, made by ACSP (São Paulo Trade Association), indicates that there was a negative variation of 6.3% in retail activities compared to the same period in 2019. The association expected the retail economy to recover from the losses caused by the pandemic with purchases for Christmas, which did not occur. On the other hand, an average growth of 18.4% in sales was observed compared to November.

Source: R7

Brazil’s beef exports hit record high in 2020

Brazil’s beef exports recorded a record 2.016 million tonnes in 2020, up 8% on the previous year, said Abrafrigo, adding that it expects the pace of shipments to remain positive in 2021, with a possible 5% advance in volume. According to the association, revenues from shipments of the product (in natura and processed) rose 11% in 2020, reaching $8.4 billion.

Source: G1