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If you haven’t heard about the “BRIC MARKETS” then you better start now! BRIC is an acronym for the emerging markets and covers the following countries. Brazil, Russia, India & China.

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Brazil

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Population:

198,739,269

Economic Overview

Once again Brazil is turning into one of the world’s favorite investment destinations. With the Brazilian economy recovering and its stock market rated as the world’s number one in percentage gains, this is no surprise. Amidst the world’s economic pessimism the IBOVESPA (most important Brazilian stock indicator) has advanced 27,41% according to the MSCI scale (created by Morgan Stanley Bank). View oringinal article at www.helium.com

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Russia

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Population:

140,041,247 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world:

Economic Overview

Russia ended 2008 with GDP growth of 5.6%, following 10 straight years of growth averaging 7% annually since the financial crisis of 1998. Over the last six years, fixed capital investment growth and personal income growth have averaged above 10%, but both grew at slower rates in 2008. Growth in 2008 was driven largely by non-tradable services and domestic manufacturing, rather than exports. During the past decade, poverty and unemployment declined steadily and the middle class continued to expand.

Russia also improved its international financial position, running balance of payments surpluses since 2000. Foreign exchange reserves grew from $12 billion in 1999 to almost $600 billion by end July 2008, which include $200 billion in two sovereign wealth funds: a reserve fund to support budgetary expenditures in case of a fall in the price of oil and a national welfare fund to help fund pensions and infrastructure development. Total foreign debt is almost one-third of GDP

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India

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Population:

1,166,079,217 (July 2009 est.)

Economic Overview

India’s diverse economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. Services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for more than half of India’s output with less than one third of its labor force. Slightly more than half of the work force is in agriculture, leading the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to articulate a rural economic development program that includes creating basic infrastructure to improve the lives of the rural poor and boost economic performance.

The government has reduced controls on foreign trade and investment. Higher limits on foreign direct investment were permitted in a few key sectors, such as telecommunications. However, tariff spikes in sensitive categories, including agriculture, and incremental progress on economic reforms still hinder foreign access to India’s vast and growing market. Privatization of government-owned industries remains stalled and continues to generate political debate; populist pressure from within the UPA government had restrained needed initiatives.

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China

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Population:

1,338,612,968 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world:

Economic Overview

China’s economy during the past 30 years has changed from a centrally planned system that was largely closed to international trade to a more market-oriented economy that has a rapidly growing private sector and is a major player in the global economy.

Reforms started in the late 1970s with the phasing out of collectivized agriculture, and expanded to include the gradual liberalization of prices, fiscal decentralization, increased autonomy for state enterprises, the foundation of a diversified banking system, the development of stock markets, the rapid growth of the non-state sector, and the opening to foreign trade and investment. Annual inflows of foreign direct investment rose to nearly $84 billion in 2007.

GDP – composition by sector:

agriculture: 11.3% industry: 48.6% services: 40.1% (2008 est.)

Source: CIA The World Factbook

So if you’re starting out in business or have an existing footprint on the business market I would strongly suggest that your start making connections into these markets sooner rather than later.  Other countries you should also be aware of are Vietnam and Trinidad & Tobago.