Summary The wave of privatization in the 1980s and 1990s increased productivity of many previously state owned enterprises (SOEs). However, governments often do not have sufficient support to privatize SOEs. We provide evidence that threatening privatization and market competition (entry of new...

The wave of privatization in the 1980s and 1990s increased productivity of many previously state owned enterprises (SOEs). However, governments often do not have su±cient support to privatize SOEs. We provide evidence that threatening privatization and market competition (entry of new firms)...

Using data at firm level this paper studies the behavior of Brazilian firms that exportsa share of its production. The main findings are: only a small fraction of firms sell toforeign countries, most exporting firms sell to few markets, variations in Brazilianexports across destinations...