Brazil wants US companies as partners in infrastructure

The Brazilian government wants to encourage US companies to be concessionaires in Brazil's infrastructure projects, like airports, highways and railroads. The statement was made by the planning minister at the 1st Annual Brazil-US Meeting on Infrastructure Development.

"Today we have no US company acting as concessionaire in infrastructure in Brazil. Our goal is that, after this meeting, we may have US companies working in the concession field in Brazil," he said.

According to the minister, the total stock of US investments in Brazil is currently $110 billion. "We suppose that any small percentage of this amount is extremely significant. We are not setting a target. Our expectation is to have a relevant portfolio, considering this extremely large base," he added.

In the meeting, the discussions centered on identifying and looking for solutions for the barriers that blocked the investments.

Trump Election

The United States ambassador to Brazil, Liliana Ayalde, said the event is a practical way to identify opportunities. Asked about the possibility of a change in strategy because of Donald Trump's election, Ayalde said that it will take time for the new government to form a team and declared that this action is a priority for Brazil and for her country.

"What we are doing here brings benefits for both countries. It creates jobs here and in the United States. It's a priority for both countries," she said. She added that she has followed the political scenario in Brazil, but their focus is on the work to be done.

"Our work here is very concrete, very focused. Let's try to focus on the work that has to be done," said the ambassador.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta