Chinese investments in Brazil are clearly moving from interests in natural resources, most notably minerals, to strategic assets and industrialized products, China-Brazil Business Council consultant and chief economist, Claudio Frischtak told reporters during a panel at the China-Brazil Business Council seminar, held in São Paulo.
Frischtak said that "After the arrival of large companies to invest in mineral commodities and infrastructure production, and a second phase of investments in the car manufacturing sector, Brazil is about to receive a third wave of Chinese investments.”
"They represent interests in smaller companies that produce machinery and equipment, but also an increased interest in agribusiness opportunities and institutions specializing in financial services."
According to a survey presented by Frischtak, the currently 60 projects announced by 44 Chinese companies in Brazil represent investments totaling USS 68.4 billion. From the total number of projects, 39 are confirmed, which amounts to USD 24.4 billion in investment.
The survey indicates that China-Brazil trade in 2012 will total USD 78 billion, up from USD 77 billion the year before.
Mr Frischtak said that "The investment amount is signaling a speedup on bilateral trade in the last two months of 2012 to compensate for the lower figures in the January to October period.”
