28 August 2007
Brazil reveals 'greenification' of Amazon transport plans to
visiting Lord Mayor of the City of London John Stuttard
Brazil's main development bank has revealed plans to drop a road
scheme for the Amazon – in exchange for an environmentally-friendly
railway, according to Lord Mayor John Stuttard who currently leads
a City of London delegation on a two-week to the fast-growing,
resource-rich country.
The environmentally-friendly scheme, which would limit lateral
effects on protected forests, was discussed on Monday at a meeting
with the Brazil development bank BNDES, which has a budget twice
that of the World Bank.
“Brazil is taking a very strategic view of its incredibly rich
environment and is strongly committed to protecting the Amazon and
the other precious resources that it holds in stewardship for us
all; this new project is a classic example of the imagination and
determination that I have seen during my three week visit to this
amazing country,” said the Lord Mayor.
So far in the visit, his delegation has met local, state and
national politicians, the exchanges, institutions, the energy giant
Petrobras, and business leaders in San Paulo, Porto Alegre, Rio de
Janeiro (and later Brasilia) and has also discussed biofuel
projects such as the sugar based ethanol, the carbon market,
listings on the London Stock Exchange, and PPP (public private
partnership) financing for new infrastructure.
The Amazon rail scheme, would be unusual in Brazil where
railways are relatively uncommon, would need international
construction and financial involvement, said Lord Mayor Stuttard
after the meeting with BNDES President Luciano Coutinho.
Lord Mayor Stuttard, (who will meet President Lula later this
week) said: “Resource-rich Brazil has transformed itself over the
last few years into a politically and economically stable
environment, with low inflation, good GDP growth and large foreign
exchange reserves. I am most impressed by what I have seen and
heard in this huge country. It is a country that is as large as
continental USA and has a future as big.”
“Even the recent turmoil in global markets has not had a
dramatic effect on Brazil – and this has been noted by the global
business community. Investment grade status is on its way and the
falling cost of money will bring further investment flows.”
Lord Mayor Stuttard welcomed indications from the Brazilian
investment and energy community that climate change (Clean
Development) projects under the Kyoto Protocol would be increased
beyond the country’s current low global share of only 6%. Together
with the Amazon rail and other projects, this demonstrates the
importance Brazil attaches to sustainable development and
protecting the world’s climate.
Ends
Notes to the Editor
Working with the FCO, UKTI and Treasury, Lord Mayor John Stuttard
promotes all UK-based financial services, visiting some 25
countries with business delegations. He travels with the rank of
Cabinet Minister while overseas with access for himself and his
team to leading ministers, officials and business circles. He is
the elected head of the City of London Corporation which provides
local government services for the Square Mile, the financial and
commercial heart of Britain and is committed to maintaining and
enhancing the status of the business City as the world's leading
international financial and business centre through its policies
and services. Its responsibilities also extend far beyond the City
boundaries and include management of the Barbican Centre, Central
Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath,
three wholesale food markets, as well as acting as the London Port
Health Authority.
Press contact (Lord Mayor): Greg Williams +44 (0) 7889 167 205,
greg.williams@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Press contact (Brazil issues): Nadia Nightingale +55 21 2555 9624,
nadia.nightingale@fco.gov.uk