Juliana Andrade and Keite Kamacho
Reporters - Agência Brasil

Brasília - The president of the Brazilian Development Bank (Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico Social) (BNDES), Guido Mantega, commemorated congressional approval of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program of investments by saying that whereas 2004 had been the year when economic growth was renewed in Brazil, with the PPPs, 2005 will be the year economic growth is consolidated. Mantega pointed out that investments are fundamental to such growth and that the consolidation will come with increased investments that will be spurred by the PPPs, especially in infrastructure.

"As we strengthen Brazil's infrastructure, eliminating bottlenecks that make it difficult for higher GDP growth to occur, we will have sound, solid growth. That is why the PPPs are so important," said the minister. He added that although there is no final figure for PPP investments yet, the BNDES has reserved "various billions for PPP projects."

(Translation: Allen Bennett_

1/3/2005