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.