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How did boosting manufacturing in the Amazon pay off for Brazil?

NPR | By Jeff Guo

Published July 31, 2026 at 3:28 PM CDT

Many countries talk about wanting to boost manufacturing. Decades ago, Brazil did it. They lured international businesses to build a whole bunch of factories in the middle of the Amazon. So, with hindsight, was the plan a success? Planet Money goes to the Amazon to find out.

Jeff Guo

Jeff Guo (he/him) is a co-host and reporter for Planet Money, NPR's award-winning podcast that finds creative, entertaining ways to make sense of the complicated forces that move our economy. He joined the team in 2022.