ANTT presents perspectives on the conceded infrastructure to the Chinese Embassy and reinforces invitation to Chinese participation in future projects

On Tuesday morning (27/5), the director general of the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT), Guilherme Theo Sampaio, met with the Chinese ambassador to Brazil, Zhu Qingqiao, and members of the Chinese diplomatic mission, in an meeting held at the Embassy's headquarters in Brasilia. The meeting focused on perspectives on the conceded infrastructure and bringing closer the Chinese stakeholders interested in investing in land transport infrastructure in Brazil. 

Opening the meeting, the Chinese ambassador highlighted the relevance of the land transport sector for the economic development of any country and quoted a Chinese proverb: "If you want be wealthy, build a road first." The phrase illustrated the importance of infrastructure as a foundation for growth, pointing to China's own experience with high-speed railways as an example of success. 

During the meeting, ANTT's director general commented on the Agency's portfolio of concessions, which foresees the holding of 15 road auctions and three railroad auctions in the coming years, in addition to the 31 contracts currently in force. Sampaio highlighted the alignment of these projects with the objectives of the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC), which seeks to promote the transition to a more sustainable development model, with an emphasis on social justice, environmental protection, and energy transition. 

The director general also mentioned Brazil's participation in the Bioceanic Corridor and in Mercosur's Working Subgroup No. 5 (SGT-5), which deals specifically with issues related to transport. He reinforced the invitation for Chinese investors to get to know the opportunities related ANTT and reiterated the Agency's willingness to expand technical exchange with Chinese institutions. "ANTT has its doors open to the Chinese embassy and institutions," he said. 

In response, Ambassador Zhu informed about the existence of an association of Chinese companies based in São Paulo and invited the director general of ANTT to personally present the concession projects to this business group. According to him, "the moment is very good to expand cooperation between China and Brazil," especially in the area of infrastructure. 

The ANTT delegation also included Allan Milagres, head of the Special Advisory for Institutional, International and Communication Affairs (AESRIC), Cálicles Mânica, general coordinator of International Affairs (CGINT), and Heloisa Hewitt, advisor to CGINT. 

As a result of the meeting, the ambassador invited coordinator Cálicles Mânica to make a technical presentation on the regulatory model adopted in ANTT's projects for Chinese investors interested in operating in Brazil. 

The meeting represents another step in the construction of strategic partnerships between Brazil and China and reinforces ANTT's role in promoting national logistics development by attracting qualified foreign investment.