Rio embarks on long urbanisation process

In a much needed attempt to overcome one of the city’s biggest problems, the Rio city council has launched a massive new push to ‘urbanise’ all of the metropolitan area´s favelas, a term incorporating both slums and shantytowns, by 2020. Significantly, one of the initial aims of the project is to open up new, safe and accessible public spaces, such as parks and sport facilities, in light of short term requirements involving preparations for both the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

Security spending plan outlined

One of the key concerns for the 2014 Cup is security and the Brazilian authorities are already looking closely at the issue. According to a recent report in Brazil´s top newspaper, Folha de Sao Paulo, the government has committed to spend R$1.6 billion (currently just over AU$1 billion) on a range of Cup-specific investments in the sector, including specialised police equipment and training.

Rio´s Port offering chances for Australian designers

Five new construction projects forming part of Rio´s port area redevelopment, all to be used for the Rio 2016 Olympics, will be the subject of an international design competition set to be promoted over the coming months. The Architecture Institute of Brazil will run the contest, which will require all designs to be ready by February 2011, following which an auction will be held to determine the developers.

The projects involve the media and judges village as well as facilities for IT and non-official media. Further details of the competition will be forwarded as they come to hand.

August a busy month for Australian initiatives involving Brazil 2014 & Rio 2016

The Australian Latin America Business Council (ALABC), Australia Brazil Chamber of Commerce (ABCC), Australian International Sporting Events Secretariat (AISES), Austrade and Industry Capability Network (ICN) have formed an alliance to assist and support Australian businesses target and compete for contracts in Brazil. During August, a number of briefings will be hosted in Sydney (10/8), Melbourne (12/8) and Brisbane (19/8) to discuss business opportunities for Australian companies, all featuring presentations by market and industry experts. More details here.

Airlines starting to worry about airports and the Cup

In a clear warning about the need for quick and decisive action to upgrade Brazil’s airports, the country’s main airline companies have questioned the ability of the federal government’s central airports body to resolve existing infrastructure deficiencies in the near future, let alone have host cities ready on time for the 2014 World Cup.

Rio 2011 Military World Games fast approaching

In less than a year the 5th Military World Games will be held in Rio de Janeiro, giving the city another small taste of what is in store come 2016 and where improvements are required. The event will utilise various existing facilities around the city, including Stadium Rio (formerly João Havelange Olympic Stadium), which was built for the 2007 Pan-American Games. There will be approximately 4,900 athletes from over 100 countries competing in 24 sports.

Green building and the 2014 Cup

As 2014 preparations pick up speed all around Brazil, a central theme to many of the projects is sustainable design, a factor essential to much of the funding available through the federal government´s BNDES (National Development Bank) and Caixa public banks.

Spreading the benefits of 2016 Olympics around Brazil

Outside of Rio, the 2016 Olympics are also driving new promises for upgraded sporting facilities around Brazil. This week heavyweight Presidential candidate José Serra has pledged to establish a number of Olympic centres of excellence throughout the country if elected this October. He said the facilities would not only be used by Brazilian athletes preparing for the Games but would also host foreign delegations in the lead up to the two week extravaganza.

Rio already building Olympic sport capabilities

A number of noteworthy developments in Rio de Janeiro over the last few weeks have given a big kick along to the country´s preparations for the 2016 Olympics, while also revealing possible opportunities for Australian expertise.

Updated Matrix provides details of airports and ports spending

The Brazilian Federal Government´s “Matrix of Responsibilities” defining the roles of and relationships between the country´s three tiers of government in relation to World Cup 2014 preparations has been updated to include both airports and ports.

2014 Cities site now online

A helpful new website with a range of information on the 12 host cities for the 2014 World Cup has been launched by Brazil´s federal tourism board as part of the ongoing promotion "Brazil calls to you. Celebrate life here". Check out the ‘Selection of Brazilian Cities’ site here

Sustainability on agenda in south of Brazil

In encouraging signs for sustainability specialists, the state government of Parana, in Brazil’s south, have committed to the establishment of a specific work group to ensure all World Cup 2014 projects in the state and its host city Curitiba are environmentally friendly.

Bullet train tender open

The tender for the 511km Rio-Sao Paulo high speed rail line has been opened by the Brazilian federal government, with interested parties given until November 29 to submit their proposals.

Following the tender submission period, there will be a final auction at the Sao Paulo Stock Exchange on December 16 to determine the winner.

Click here for more details on the project.

Brazil´s transport issues and what´s in the planning

Although successful overall, South Africa 2010 suffered from urban mobility and transport issues and a similar situation, without serious work and in some cases miracles over the next three and a half years, awaits in Brazil.

Another Aussie engineer hits Brazil

Brisbane-based Austin Engineering has become the latest Australian business to invest in Brazil through a new 50/50 joint venture with local company Delp Engineering, with the new entity, called Austin Delp Mining Equipment, to be based on Belo Horizonte, Brazil´s main mining hub.

New Brasilia hotel tender open to international bidders

The opening of a tender for the construction of a new hotel in Brazil’s capital city, Brasilia, this week could be a prime opportunity for relevant Australian groups looking to make a move into the country.

Infraero, Brazil’s federal body for airports, is developing the new 150 bed hotel in an area just a few hundred metres from the city’s international airport, primarily to cater for passengers in transit.

The project is expected to cost around R$13.5 million and international groups are able to bid for the work. The tender closes September 15 and the work is expected to take 18 months. The winning bidder will also have the right to develop a number of associated commercial facilities, such as shops and restaurants.

Increase in activity as Brazil prepares for spotlight

It has been a busy week for World Cup 2014 news with the 2010 tournament reaching its climax and focus already shifting to Brazil.

Still in South Africa, President Lula, at the launch of the official symbol for the 2014 Cup, has offered some important comments on preparations for the event, stating that they are aiming to have ‘maximum transparency’ for all public spending, which will be able to be followed via the internet in real time.

Sub host competition driving additional opportunities

In a development with wider implications for Australian groups looking at business opportunities in Brazil, the city of Sao Caetano do Sul, adjacent to the Sao Paulo metropolitan area, has indicated its willingness to be an integral part of the 2014 World Cup by hosting one of the 31 visiting teams in the lead up to and during the event.

Brazil’s northern fortress to offer football by the beach

Moving to Brazil’s north-eastern corner, at a latitude equivalent to northern Papua New Guinea, the city of Forteleza should be one of the 2014 World Cup’s most visited locations not only because of the matches it will host but also thanks to both its strategic position close to Europe and tourist-friendly tropical beach setting.

Tender almost ready for Rio-Sao Paulo bullet train

A tender for the construction of a high-speed `bullet train` between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo is expected to be opened by Brazil’s federal transport body within the next few weeks. A five-year construction period – 2011 to 2016 – is expected.

Rio’s new port an important lure for Australians

Plans for a massive redevelopment of Rio’s central port region should provide a range of opportunities for Australian expertise and investment. Driven by the Rio city council, the ‘Porto Maravilha’ project involves a wide range of works in a 3km x 1km slice of rundown waterfront just a few kilometres from the CBD (see image below). Amongst other things, the area will be home to two new residential developments, a commercial hub with towers of up to 50 stories, a tourism and entertainment quadrant featuring a new aquarium, the international media facilities for the 2016 Olympics, and new government buildings including the reserve bank headquarters and a federal police facility.