Brazil is set to host the next soccer World Cup to be held in 2014. It will also host the Rio Summer Olympics in 2016. With Brazil hosting two of the world’s mega sporting events, the business savvy are eyeing the huge foreign investment opportunities.
Road and Railway Projects
The Brazilian government has announced more than R$100 billion in road and rail projects. Brazil needs to significantly improve its dilapidated roads and awful traffic jams so that the expected five million tourists and three million Brazilians who are likely to attend the sporting events in the host cities can commute conveniently.
The Brazilian Transport Ministry recently hosted a special two-day conference called ‘LatAm Rail Opportunities 2013’, focusing on foreign investment opportunities. The conference was attended by industry experts from Brazil, the US, Germany, France, Canada, Switzerland, the UK and Italy. The event focused on rail expansion, rail finance and procurement, as well as rail security throughout Latin America.
By the year 2023, the transport ministry plans to double Brazil’s railway network, which is 30,000 kilometers at present. In addition, the transport authorities are planning to improve the utilization of cargo rail. In 2012, the number of freight cars manufactured in Brazil was just under 3,000 with approximately 207 passenger cars and 70 locomotives. According to ABIFER, the association of the national railroad industry, in 2013 Brazil plans to manufacture approximately 3,000 freight cars, about 100 locomotives and 400 passenger cars.
IT Projects
In addition to the rail sector, both large and small IT companies throughout the world are eyeing foreign investment opportunities in Brazil. The budget for IT infrastructure for the World Cup and Rio Summer Olympics is estimated at $180 billion. Consequently, IT companies across the globe are keen on getting in on the action.
Foreign Investment Opportunities in Other Sectors
But the foreign investment opportunities don’t stop there. Many stadiums are being refurbished, including Rio’s renowned Maracana Stadium. he government is also making huge investments in security and environmental technology. No matter your type of business, Brazil is certain to have opportunities that will prove well worth the investment.
