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Private equity funding is continuing to flood Brazil and other Latin American nations, with improved economic fundamentals as well as political and regulatory stability supporting $8.1 billion (USD) of privately placed investments last year. "Foreign investors are increasingly becoming comfortable with the legal framework in countries such as Brazil, particularly those that have already done deals there and are familiar with the local issues and pitfalls," says Marcello Hallake of the New York office of Thompson & Knight. "The attractions of the region as an investment destination appear to be especially evident when compared to the more sluggish U.S. and European markets." Hallake notes, however, that even if US and European private equity funds can be comfortable with currency exchange and valuation issues in Latin America, there remain a number of legal issues of concern, particularly regarding labor and tax matters, as well as the high levels of government bureaucracy. For more information, contact Bruce Vincent at 800-559-4534 or bruce@androvett.com.