( CNN ) -- Executive jets are a glamorous concept ; throw in comfort , performance and robust design and it becomes a business with sex appeal , according to the boss of a Brazilian aerospace giant . Frederico Curado , head of Embraer , told CNN the company had combined `` the best of both worlds '' to create a very `` sex appealing '' line in executive jets . Embraer 's push into the market 13 years ago took the competition by surprise , but it became a `` game changer , '' due to its focus on design , comfort and power , Curado said . The company 's first model was the Legacy 600 and it now plans to release two more in as many years , with the market stable after the financial crisis exploded five years ago , according to Curado . READ MORE : Does Brazil deserve its ' B ' for BRIC ? Embraer is gaining traction in the sector , he said . `` We are around 15 % of market share in terms of number of aircrafts from 12 years ago , so this is a growing business for us , '' he added . `` In a certain sense [ it is ] outgrowing the commercial business . '' Embraer , founded over 40 years ago , is also looking to make inroads into the U.S. defense market . In February the U.S. Air Force announced it had selected Embraer Defense for its LAS ( Light Air Support ) program , a contract for 20 aircraft worth $ 427 million . READ MORE : Mixing sushi and samba - meet the Japanese Brazilians . The company also supplies 50 % of the aircraft for the Brazilian Airforce , and Curado remains committed to that country . `` Definitely Brazil is our largest defense customer , always has been , always will be , '' he said . Embraer is headquartered in Sao Jose dos Campos , in the state of Sao Paolo , and is seen as a jewel in the crown of Brazilian industry . But , following a decline in exports of manufactured goods over the past decade , competitiveness has been eroded by a strong currency . WATCH MORE : Luxurious squatting in Brazil . According to Curado , high-costs and bureaucracy makes it difficult to do business in Brazil , despite its `` tremendous potential . '' He added : `` Brazil , unfortunately , is not an obvious destination for high-tech companies to invest in , to build for example a global platform for exports ... A lot is driven by the Brazilian domestic market . '' Brazil -- the world 's sixth largest economy -- is considered one of the emerging market superpowers of the next decade and is part of former Goldman Sachs economist Jim O'Neill 's famous 2001 acronym , BRIC , referring to Brazil , Russia , India and China . Despite this billing , the country has struggled with relatively low growth for the last two years , recording only a 0.6 % increase in 2012 . READ MORE : Brazil unveils shaky answer to the vuvuzela . Curado said : `` I hope Brazil achieves continuous growth with social insertion . We have been able to move tens of millions of people up in society from misery to poverty , from poverty to middle class and this is fundamental . Growth without inclusion does n't go anywhere . '' The CEO is also hopeful the soccer World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016 will go some way to improving living conditions in Brazil , leading to infrastructure investment in roads , public transport and airports . CNN 's Oliver Joy contributed to this report .
Embraer , founded the next decade , is also looking to make inroads into the Sao Jose defense market . Frederico Curado , head of Embraer , told CNN the company had combined `` the best of both worlds '' Embraer announced it had selected Frederico Curado for a contract for 20 aircraft worth tens of millions .