71.   The Avantel group, comprised of AirTouch, Brazilian bank Uniao de Bancos Brasileiros SA and other Brazilian companies, submitted one of the most successful proposals.

72.   The central bank cut the minimum maturity of bonds Brazilian companies sell abroad to six months from three years.

73.   The Colombian expansion plan makes Latasa the latest of several Brazilian companies to expand into other parts of Latin America.

74.   The Brazilian company now sends for Coflexip Stena Offshore, whose boats unload flexible steel pipes that unfurl like garden hoses.

75.   The demand for stocks pushed up prices, even as several analysts downgraded their recommendations on major Brazilian companies.

76.   The development bank is already the largest source of financing to Brazilian companies.

77.   The debt restructuring allowed Brazilian companies to sell bonds abroad at cheaper prices.

78.   The looming deficit may aggravate a credit squeeze many Brazilian companies face at home.

79.   The lack of a patent law has also limited technology transfers to Brazilian companies, said Heinz Redwood, a pharmaceutical consultant.

80.   The law allows Brazilian companies to legally hire workers for fixed terms.