Brazil's prospects, it seems, have never been better. Economically and politically stable, the country has become a poster child on international financial markets - the most fashionable, perhaps, of the so-called Bric group of large emerging markets that also includes Russia, India and China.

At a time of rising global demand for food and energy, Brazil is uniquely placed. Already the world's biggest producer of almost any farm product you like to mention, including ethanol made from sugar cane, Brazil is the fourth biggest manufacturer of cars and will soon become an important oil exporter.