Brazil: Rail Sector Reverse Trade Mission

Background

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has sponsored this Reverse Trade Mission (RTM) for representatives from Brazil’s Railway Concessionaires Association (ANTF) and National Ground Transportation Agency (ANTT) to visit the United States to meet with U.S. entities involved in the rail sector. The RTM focused on two priority areas for ANTF and ANTT: railway integration and locomotive refurbishment technologies. The Brazilian government and private rail operators are planning to invest at least $19 billion toward various network expansion projects, including a 40 percent expansion of the overall track network (to 35,000 kilometers), an integration plan to improve logistics efficiency, and the refurbishment of approximately half of the country’s approximately 2,400 locomotives. Key decision-makers from Brazil were here to learn about U.S. experiences in these areas, as well as the overall U.S. regulatory environment and U.S. practices with respect to integrating rail operations.

This RTM took place from December 4-14, 2010, and included stops in Washington, D.C., Chicago, Dallas and Pueblo, Colorado. During the visit, meetings were held with various rail operators, U.S. providers of equipment and services, government agencies and industry associations. A Business Briefing for U.S. companies was also held in Chicago on December 9.

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Objectives

The objectives of the RTM were to:

  • Familiarize the delegation with advanced U.S. technologies in the areas of railway integration and locomotive refurbishment;
  • Meet with U.S. providers of equipment and services to gain a better understanding of their capabilities and to foster future cooperation;
  • Provide opportunities for site visits for the delegation to view rail operators’ operations and support systems;
  • Facilitate U.S. company involvement in the early stages of Brazil’s investment planning so that they will be well-placed to take advantage of future business opportunities.

Through meetings and site visits with industry specialists and U.S. providers of equipment and services, rail operators, government agencies and industry associations, the delegation was exposed to the range of U.S. solutions to assist Brazil in implementing an effective and efficient network.

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The Delegation

Associação Nacional dos Transportadores Ferroviários (ANTF) (Railway Concessionaires Association)

  • Mr. Rodrigo O. Vilaça (Head of Delegation), Executive Director

Ministério dos Transportes

  • Mr. Francisco Luis da Costa, International Affairs Advisor

Agência Nacional de Transportes Terrestres (ANTT) (National Ground Transportation Agency)

  • Mr. Ronaldo Cabral Magalhães, Executive Superintendant

MRS Logística S.A

  • Ms. Elvira M B Cavalcanti, Chief Financial Officer
  • Mr. Thiago Rosa Moraes, Procurement Specialist – Locomotive Leader

Transnordestina

  • Mr. Marcello Barreto Marques, Commercial Director
  • Mr. Miguel Angelo Barroso Andrade, Commercial Director

Ferrovia Tereza Cristina (FTC)

  • Mr. Antonio Carlos Modesto de Oliveira, Legal and Corporate Affairs Director

Departamento Nacional de Infra-Estrutura de Transportes (DNIT) (National Department of Transportation Infrastructure)

  • Mr. Geraldo Lourenço de Souza Neto, International Affairs Director

Vale

  • Ms. Flaviana Cruz Coelho, Director General of Innovation and Railway Development
  • Mr. Jose Osvaldo Cruz, Commercial Director

Abifer

  • Mr. Vicente Abate, Commercial Director

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Business Briefing

December 9, 2010 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Hotel, 540 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois

There was a one-day Business Briefing at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Hotel on Thursday, December 9 starting at 9:30 a.m. The delegation discussed the upcoming projects and their procurement needs, and met one-on-one with registered participants. U.S. company representatives and government officials were encouraged to attend this briefing in order to learn more about the opportunities in Brazil and to meet with members of the delegation.

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About USTDA

The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, reverse trade missions and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA’s strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision- making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. Operating at the nexus of foreign policy and commerce, USTDA is uniquely positioned to work with U.S. firms and host countries in achieving the agency’s trade and development goals. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.

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Reverse Trade Mission Contacts

TERA International Group, Inc. has organized the RTM on behalf of USTDA. For further information please contact:

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Terms and Conditions

USTDA Nationality Requirements and Privacy Policy: Please note that participation at and/or sponsorship of an event held in the United States is limited to U.S. individuals, U.S. firms, or U.S. consultants, each as defined in USTDA’s Nationality Source and Origin Requirements. Also note that by registering for USTDA events, your contact information will be provided to USTDA and USTDA may make such information available to other interested persons upon request. In addition, please be informed that you will likely receive requests for information related to your participation in USTDA events and their outcomes via telephone, email, or fax, from USTDA Evaluations, USTDA program evaluators, and others who share USTDA’s mission. For more information on USTDA’s Nationality Requirements and Privacy Policy, please visit USTDA’s website.


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