Since President Fernando Collor eased restrictions on imports in 1990 Brazil has become more open to trade.

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The new leader, Fernando Collor de Mello, had chosen as his finance minister the unrelated Zelia Cardoso de Mello, the first woman to occupy the post.

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They included Fernando Collor, a former president forced out in 1992 over corruption allegations, who failed to make a comeback as governor of his home state of Alagoas.

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