Brazil-China infrastructure investment mission

Brazil has launched an official mission to China to secure Chinese investment for federal infrastructure projects, specifically targeting the port, waterway, and airport sectors. Minister of Ports and Airports Tomé Franca is presenting concession opportunities to major corporations such as China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and COSCO Shipping. This diplomatic effort follows a period of significant growth in Chinese capital flowing into Brazil, which reached US$ 6.1 billion in 2025.

As the mission progresses, the focus has expanded to presenting specific waterway concession projects involving the Madeira, Tapajós, Tocantins, and Paraguay rivers. To facilitate these developments, Minister Franca met with Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank (NDB), to discuss securing favorable financing for Brazilian projects.

While major Asian companies have expressed interest, the infrastructure sector faces several obstacles. Navigation companies have raised concerns regarding potential new tariffs and the need for transparency in economic studies. Furthermore, projects in the Amazon and Central-West regions are navigating challenges related to environmental licensing, community consultations, and legal disputes, alongside ongoing international negotiations regarding the regulation of the Paraguay River waterway.