Tomé Franca, executive secretary of the Ministry of Ports and Airports, participated this Friday (27) in the Infrastructure Forum – An Agenda for the Future, promoted by Veja magazine in São Paulo (SP). The event brought together the public sector, private initiative and press for a series of panels addressing advances and national challenges in logistics sector areas.
During the event, Tomé Franca presented the panel "Investment Perspectives in Ports and Airports" and addressed topics such as the concession policy adopted by the ministry, investments made in recent years and the need to provide strategic areas of the logistics sector with infrastructure that is connected to the need for integration between transport modes.
"Our focus is to make ports, airports and waterways increasingly efficient and structured to promote integration with highways and railways, helping to reduce Brazil's cost structure, connecting the country and making our transportation more efficient," said the secretary after presenting results achieved in the last three years by MPor. "We have increased investment volume robustly, attracting private capital by ensuring an environment of predictability and legal certainty necessary for investors interested in contributing to national development, and in this context the Federal Court of Accounts has fundamental work," he emphasized.
The secretary noted that the creation of the National Inland Waterways Secretariat in 2024 confirmed the priority given by the Federal Government to the sector, which is fundamental for cargo and passenger transport in regions such as the North and Center-West of Brazil. "We have considerable waterway potential that is also being structured to dialogue with highways, railways, ports and airports. Maritime and inland navigation will play an important role in integrating these transport modes," he stated.
The implementation of the AmpliAR program, which enables the management of regional airports by concessionaires that already have contracts in force with the Union, was highlighted by the secretary as an innovative action that favors connectivity and reinforces national sovereignty. "In the first phase of the program, 13 strategic airports were awarded, guaranteeing over R$ 700 million in investments that translate into more income, employment, connectivity and improved service to the population. By the end of the year we will have the second phase with 15 more airports put up for public bidding," he noted.
In the port sector, the secretary recalled that port auctions are scheduled for Porto Alegre (RS), Itajaí (SC), Fortaleza (CE), Itaqui (MA) and Salvador (BA). In the first quarter of this year, three auctions were already held and another 15 are planned through the end of 2026, which will guarantee over R$ 10 billion in investments. "At MPor, we work with a focus on strengthening port infrastructure from north to south, aware of Brazil's important role in the future of international trade to consolidate our country as the main logistics hub of the Southern Hemisphere," he emphasized.
The forum also debated private sector demands, agribusiness perspectives, project financing, the role of governors and the Federal Court of Accounts in the infrastructure sector. Also participating in the event were the governor of Ceará, Elmano de Freitas; of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas; and the minister of the Federal Court of Accounts, Bruno Dantas.
