The Minister of Ports and Airports, Tomé Franca, participated this Saturday (23rd) in the Esfera Forum – Dialogues for the nation's growth, held in Guarujá (SP) and bringing together representatives from government, the private sector and civil society. The meeting featured discussions on Brazil's current economic scenario and presented visions for the country's future with a focus on improving infrastructure through legislative updates and tax system reform.
In the panel "Leveraging development through ports and waterways," the minister highlighted the Ministry of Ports and Airports' auction portfolio as a relevant public policy for modernizing national infrastructure. "We have already held three auctions this year in the port sector and have thirteen more ahead. We are also committed to the concession of the Paraguay Waterway, the first in the inland waterway sector and one that will open a new chapter for this modal in the country," he stated.
The minister further emphasized that creating an environment conducive to investment is the focus of the federal government. "With institutional stability and guaranteed legal and regulatory security, we are better positioned to attract undertakings that strengthen the infrastructure chain and contribute to our economy's growth," he noted.
In his remarks, Vice President of the Republic Geraldo Alckmin highlighted how the recent Mercosur–European Union agreement will open new opportunities for Brazil. "The South American bloc had gone 15 years without concluding new agreements, and this partnership—the largest between blocs on the planet—puts us in a market worth U$ 22 trillion. According to IPEA (Institute for Applied Research), Brazilian exports could grow 17% over the next 15 years," he said.
Data from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC) and the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) indicate that Brazilian port complexes are responsible for handling approximately 95% of exports and imports.
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