The present project contains two parts. It begins by evaluating the growth potentials of the four newly-emerging economies, namely, Brazil, Russia, India, and mainland China (BRICs) in light of their recent development records and to disclose, thereby, the likely impacts that are expected to entail as a result, among them, the reshuffling of world economic powers. Based on findings of the first part the authors examine, as the next step, the thematically-connected scope of business opportunities posed by Latin America and any market barriers by which the interests of outside investors may be jeopardized. Whether the free trade area of Central America serves the interest of the Taiwanese business community is one of the main questions addressed in the text of the research project. In due succession BRICS have, in recent decades, been embarking upon the path of a powerful modernization drive. China was the progenitor in launching radical economic reform and market opening. A remarkable 8 to 9 percent growth rate per annum ensues since the early 1980 which is accompanied by growing integration with the world economy. India joined the speed race roughly a decade later. Russia, on the other hand, managed to power its energy-dominated economy and to steer ahead only after overcoming the 1998 financial crisis and the decade-spanning transformation recession that preceded it. As for Brazil, recurrent turbulence and inward-looking development era came to an end formally in 2004. But shifting horizon of recent economic boom may actually be traced back to early 1990’s beginning with the implementation of the real plan. With respect to the evolution of bilateral relations, mainland China figures now as the pre-eminent trading partner of Taiwan; growing structural interdependence linking the two economies indicates that Taiwan’s growth prospect hinges critically upon mainland China’s fortunes and, inescapably, their official guidelines of development and anti-cycle poli
