Rains delay Goiás logistics platform works start

The beginning of heavy rains has pushed the start of basic infrastructure works at the site of a planned 250mn-real (US$93.9mn) multimodal logistics platform in Brazil's Goiás state to March, a project official told BNamericas. The works - such as drinking water, drainage, power and telephone services - aim to make the project more attractive to potential users and investors. The 696ha site is near the city of Anápolis. Earthen roads were able to be completed before the heavy rainy season, said the official, who hails from the state's planning and development department. Regarding future stages, project advancement will depend on plans to convert the nearby airport - which currently receives sporadic passenger flights - into an international cargo airport, said the official. Advancement also depends on plans to put out to concession rail lines connecting the platform to existing lines Ferrovia Norte-Sul and Ferrovia Centro-Atlantíca. The state government has made 248mn reais available in tax incentives for those interested in participating in the project. Further, the state government has created special purpose company Plataforma Logística with the aim of having investors buy up to 100% of the company. The maximum the state government would own is 49%. The special purpose company will be responsible for implementing infrastructure, managing services and operating the multimodal port. The project has already attracted the interest of Canadian, French, German, Spanish and US companies as well as local firms. The state government is studying the possibility of advancing the project via a public-private partnership.