target business in another geographic location, these risks will likely not affect us and we will be subject to other risks attendant with the specific industry or location of the target business which we acquire, none of which can be presently ascertained.
The Brazilian government has exercised, and continues to exercise, significant influence over the Brazilian economy, which, together with Brazilian political and economic conditions, may adversely affect us.
If we complete a business combination with a target located in Brazil, we may be adversely affected by the following factors, as well as the Brazilian federal government’s response to these factors:
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economic and social instability;
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increase in interest rates;
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exchange controls and restrictions on remittances abroad;
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restrictions and taxes on agricultural exports;
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exchange rate fluctuations;
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inflation;
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volatility and liquidity in domestic capital and credit markets;
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expansion or contraction of the Brazilian economy, as measured by GDP growth rates;
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allegations of corruption against political parties, elected officials or other public officials, including allegations made in relation to the Lava Jato investigation;
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government policies related to our sectors;
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fiscal or monetary policy and amendments to tax legislation and other political, diplomatic, social or economic developments in or affecting Brazil; and
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political instability.
Historically, the Brazilian government has frequently intervened in the Brazilian economy and has occasionally made significant changes in economic policies and regulations, including, among others, the imposition of a tax on foreign capital entering Brazil (IOF tax), changes in monetary, fiscal and tax policies, currency devaluations, capital controls and limits on imports.
The Brazilian economy has been experiencing a slowdown — GDP growth rates were 3.97%, 1.92%, 3.00% and 0.5%, in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, and GDP decreased 3.55% in 2015, decreased 3.28% in 2016, increased 1.32% in 2017, increased 1.32% in 2018 and increased 1.10% in 2019.
As a result of investigations carried out in connection with the Lava Jato (Car Wash) operation into corruption in Brazil, a number of senior politicians, including congressmen, and executive officers of some of the major state-owned companies in Brazil have resigned or been arrested, while others are being investigated for allegations of unethical and illegal conduct.
In addition, former presidents, including Dilma Rousseff and Michel Temer, were impeached or faced impeachment in connection with the Lava Jato operation. In 2018 a Brazilian federal appeals court unanimously upheld the conviction of former president Luís Inácio Lula da Silva on corruption charges uncovered by the Lava Jato operation. On November 8, 2019, Luís Inácio Lula da Silva was released from prison based on a Brazilian Supreme Court decision allowing him to remain free during the pendency of his appeals.
To date these investigations remain ongoing and the ultimate outcome is uncertain, but they have already had an adverse effect on the image and reputation of the implicated companies, and on the general market perception of the Brazilian economy, the political environment and the Brazilian capital markets. The development of these investigations may adversely affect us. We cannot predict whether these investigations will bring further political or economic instability to Brazil, or whether new allegations will be raised against current high-level members of the Brazilian federal government. In addition, we cannot predict the results of these investigations, nor their effects on the Brazilian economy.