Brazil has weathered the recent economic gloom much better than many more developed economies, but can its growth continue?

The high prices and demand for its ample natural resources and commodities, coupled with a successful state and private agricultural plan has bucked the international recession, but the increasing value of its currency could see its exports becoming uncompetitively expensive.

And there are also the challenges of poor infrastructure, bureaucracy, corruption, and restrictive labour laws, as Justin Rowlatt has been finding out.

Broadcast on Thursday 5 January 2012.