Brazil faces transport infra investment challenge, says minister

One of the main challenges Brazil will face this year is increasing much needed transportation infrastructure investments, the federal government said in a release.

Brazil's government intends to invest 17.5bn reais (US$5.70bn) this year in the sector, 7.4% less than in 2014. Last year spending was up 12.9% from 2013.

Other challenges the country faces include establishing an integrated logistics network, reducing transportation and logistics costs, and expanding the participation of railways and waterways in Brazil's transportation network, according to transport minister Antonio Carlos Rodrigues.

Last year, the federal government focused most of its investments on highways (55.2%), while investment in railways and waterways only reached 14.5% and 0.8% of the transport ministry's annual budget, the release said.

President Dilma Rousseff is expected to announce a nationwide concessions program by the end of May, including airport, highway, railway, port and other works.