Brazil's government disbursed $13 billion for infrastructure works in 2016

The federal government has disbursed $13 billion to pay for works under the 2016 Accelerated Growth Program (PAC). During a meeting on Wednesday (Jan. 11) at the presidential office, ministers of the government's Infrastructure Center presented a balance sheet of actions in the sector.

"The ministries have paid for their works and managed to balance the payment with the execution schedule," said Planning, Development, and Management Minister Dyogo Oliveira.

After paying the bills on time, the government now begins the disbursement planning for this and the next year. "The president told us to begin the planning process for 2017 and 2018," the minister said.

The first actions should be announced shortly. "In the first week of February, we shall launch the first intermediate report on the progress of 1,600 paralyzed works, which are being resumed and shall be concluded this or next year," he added.

Commenting on the balance sheet of the infrastructure sector, Oliveira also mentioned the works for the transposition of São Francisco River, which already have completed stages.

Airport privatization

Minister Dyogo Oliveira said the government is planning to include the Congonhas airport in São Paulo and the Santos Dumont airport in Rio de Janeiro in the concessions plan offered to the private sector.

"The government has discussed the expansion of the concession plan. Congonhas and Santos Dumont [airports] are being discussed, along with other airports," said the minister after the meeting of the Infrastructure Center at the presidential office.

In addition to airports, the concession for highway stretches and sanitation projects will also be granted, according to Oliveira.

In March, the government will tender the administration of four airports: Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Salvador and Florianópolis. They expect to collect about $1 billion for granting concession of these airports.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta