Denis Benchimol Minev was Secretary for Planning and Economic Development at the State of Amazonas, Brazil from 2007 to 2009. Amazonas is the largest state in Brazil, 4.4x the size of Germany and 2.3x the size of Texas. It retains 98% of its original forest cover conserved, which represents over 20% of the world\'s remaining tropical forests. Deforestation rates have been reduced from over 700 sq.km. in 2006 to below 400 sq.km. in the twelve months ending September 2008 by coupling incentives to sustainable activities with strenghtened monitoring. Economic growth reached 11% in 2007 and is on pace to overcome 10% in 2008 as well. Such results were achieved through targeted tax reductions for low income populations and certain industries, a reduction in government expenses to 76% of government receipts in 2008 from 91% in 2006, with a consequent increase in government infra-structure investment. Prior to joining the State Government, Denis was Financial Diretor of the Bemol/Fogás conglomerate from 2003 to 2006 and Financial Analyst at Goldman, Sachs & Co. from 1999 to 2001. Denis holds a B.A. in Economics and an M.A. in Latin American Studies from Stanford University and an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. www.dminev.com
Recent Activity
Brief market report on the status of production and sales of copiaba balsam, rosewood oil and tonka beans in the Amazon rainfrest region, by Ilko Mintschev Minev.
Market report about the commerce of products of the Amazon rainforest in 2007, including cumaru (tonka beans), copaiba balsam and rosewood oil.
Article on Arowana, treasured fish of the Amazon.
Breve biografia de Samuel Benchimol. Samuel Isaac Benchimol nascido em dia 13 de julho de 1923, em Manaus, foi um escritor (com cerca de 110 trabalhos publicados, nomeado à Academia Amazo-nense de Letras), professor (Emérito da Universidade do Amazonas, onde lecionou por mais de 50 anos), pesquisador (catedrático da cadeira de Introdução à Amazônia na Universidade do Amazonas), líder comunitário (presidente do Comitê Israelita do Amazonas) e empresário (fundador do grupo Bemol/Fogás).
Market report on Amazon natural products, including copaiba balsam, rosewood oil, tonka beans and andiroba oil.
Brief biography of Samuel Benchimol.
Breve discussão a respeito da crise internacional e os efeitos iniciais (ainda brandos) na economia do estado do Amazonas.
Article on Charles Marie de la Condamine, a great French explorer and scientist, with special emphasis on his explorations in the Amazon.
Article on Alexander von Humboldt, the great explorer and scientist of the 19th century, with special emphasis on his stay in the Amazon.
Interview regarding the preparations of the city of Manaus to be selected as one of the host cities in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

