However, if Brazil is to continue to take advantage of the benefits of globalisation, it needs to put in place a better regulatory framework and further modernise some of its core infrastructure, including energy, communication and transport. This will help to increase much-needed investment and improve service quality for citizens.
Regulatory agencies have played a key role in improving standards of service, notably in the private health insurance sector. Rail and bus transport have improved, and the highway concession of over 2000 kilometres granted in 2007, the first in a decade, is a positive sign for the future in terms of involving private capital in public projects.
Challenges remain, however. Among specific actions, the OECD recommends that Brazil:
• Broaden efforts to integrate a “whole-of-government” approach for regulatory quality supported at the highest political level;
• Improve co-ordination between ministries, agencies, regulatory institutions and levels of government. These should also be improved in sectors such as energy for natural gas, environmental licensing, telecommunications and transport;
• Put in place a system to assess the economic and social impact of new laws, with formal consultation processes;
• Improve existing regulations to better serve the interests of citizens and the private sector;
• Consolidate the autonomy and statute of the regulatory authorities in order to strengthen their powers and resources, staffing and governance structure;
• Reinforce the strategic framework for planning and decision making in regulated sectors and strengthen ministries' capacities, particularly for transport and communications;
• Strengthen the accountability of regulatory agencies towards the public, while maintaining their autonomy;
• Consider institutional changes to streamline appeals processes, to reduce delays and increase certainty for investors. This could involve appointing specialised judges and appellate panels.
This first OECD review of regulatory reform in Brazil is part of an ongoing co-operation programme launched in 1998. Brazil is one of five major emerging economies, also including China, India, Indonesia and South Africa, with which OECD is seeking enhanced engagement. Brazil already participates in the work of several OECD Committees and Working Parties on issues including agriculture, investment, competition and trade and it is a member of the OECD Development Centre. OECD has published a number of other studies on Brazil, on such topics as agriculture, economic policy and competition.
