Brazil and Germany signed on Thursday (Aug. 20) an agreement to expand bilateral relations in ports and logistics. During the ceremony, the German Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, Alexander Dobrindt, expressed his confidence that, just as Germany, Brazil will overcome its economic difficulties. Certain of the overcoming, he believes that German companies will be interested in investing in Brazilian ports.

Addressing the Minister of the Department of Ports, Edinho Araújo, Dobrindt said he follows the Brazil's "progress and development". "We are willing to support Brazil in what they can, despite the economic deadlock", noted the German minister. According to him, Brazil has always recover strength to overcome difficulties. "We had to make some economic adjustments in Germany years ago. We came out stronger than we were when hit by the crisis. I'm confident Brazil will do the same and come out stronger than when hit by it. "

Dobrindt noted that Brazil and Germany share the same opinion: "in the long run, the welfare is only assured with infrastructure investments." He quoted some German studies–about some regions of the world where there is no perspective of development in the future– that relate development and welfare to transportation of people, goods and data.

"Investments in ports guarantee Brazil this future development. The new marine terminals can be build with the help of private investors. We'll talk to German companies about the viability of these investments," Dobrindt mentioned. In his opinion, the agreement will increase the level of competitiveness in the Brazilian maritime transportation system. "We compete with several regions of the world and we both want to maintain our leading place in ports. You in South America and we in Europe."

Minister Edinho Araújo pointed out that this cooperation could be an exchange of experience, expertise, know-how, training or promotion between the two countries. He said he had received 35 proposals to study six port areas expected to be leased in the coming year. "In total, eleven companies submitted nearly six proposals by area. This shows that the industry is heated and the demand for investment is strong," he said.