Interview: Roberto de Abreu e Lima Almeida, Executive Secretary of Business Development, Pernambuco

AS/COA Online spoke with Roberto de Abreu e Lima Almeida, the executive secretary of business development for the Economic Development Secretariat in Pernambuco state. De Abreu discussed the process of “reindustrialization” going on in the state, citing infrastructure projects such as a shipyard at the Suape complex, the Transnordestina Railway to connect Suape to the agricultural heartland, new petrochemical plants, and a new oil refinery.

He highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in developing infrastructure in the state, which experienced a whopping 9.3 percent rise in its GDP in 2010, with an expected 5 growth rate in 2011. Given the region’s economic rise and the need for improved infrastructure, Pernambuco’s state government will invest around $575 million in infrastructure through 2015.

De Abreu discussed how Suape is currently Pernambuco’s motor of development, estimating current investment inflows of approximately $30 billion. The complex hosts over 100 companies as well as a port which connects the northeast of Brazil to around 60 countries. This deep-water port, the fastest growing in Brazil, moved approximately 11 million tons of cargo last year, and new container terminals are under construction to meet increasingly rising demand.

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Rachel Glickhouse is the editorial associate at AS/COA Online.