You don't see how better highways, ports and airports in the North and Northeast would help the country? Businesses would move there (with incentives at first) and regions outside of the south and southeast would move into the "developed" world. As it is even with tax incentives many companies don't see the profit in the northeast because of the difficulty of getting products south.

Right, but are these updates happening outside of the south and southeast? I am talking about building new airports not fixing up old ones. People in the northeast are used to being poor does that mean they should stay that way? The point is that even doubling investments in infrastructure it would take Brazil twenty years to get to Chile's level. Better and more extensive roads would allow for a more balanced development as a country. In much of the country the only way to get a great job is to move closer to SP or Rio. Being used to crappy government doesn't mean that it doesn't stunt growth.

Originally posted by Amsterdam Originally posted by andrewfroboy Talking about roads, airports, ports etc. the lack of those have incredibly and will continue to limit Brazil's growth. The fact that São Paulo and Rio are so big and influential is a result of poor infrastruture in the rest of the country. Transportation costs in Brasil are twice that of Brasil and the US has nearly 20 times more roads per square mile. Not to mention how lack of education investment and poor education investment (public universities) are stunting growth.   Many Airports have already been upgraded. Roads are being as we speak, BR101 etc. Public, not Private Education.   Although i agree in part, the Brazilians dont concern themselves because its always been a two tier system here. To overcome the pot holed roads, you just buy a bigger better off road car and if you cant afford it, then tough, that has always been their attitude. Unless its a vote killer.   What else?

The BR101?? they are improving the quality of the surface, not improving the actual capacity of the road. lets not forget from Vitoria ES to Recife is a single lane highway with more twists and turns than a Brazzer politician! Have had the misfortune to have driven it from Rio to Natal twice in the past 12 months!!

The airports?? dont even start me, they are a joke! here in Natal on any given day the ONE international flight brings the whole airport to a grinding halt! My son arrived here in June, plane landed at 8pm, he arrived out of the arrivals door at 11:40pm! Thats ONE flight!!

Also we are in the process of waiting for a new sofa delivery here. It has to come from the south, by road, estimate 30-45 for delivery!!

Originally posted by andrewfroboy Right, but are these updates happening outside of the south and southeast? I am talking about building new airports not fixing up old ones. People in the northeast are used to being poor does that mean they should stay that way? The point is that even doubling investments in infrastructure it would take Brazil twenty years to get to Chile's level. Better and more extensive roads would allow for a more balanced development as a country. In much of the country the only way to get a great job is to move closer to SP or Rio. Being used to crappy government doesn't mean that it doesn't stunt growth.

@andrewfroboy you are quite right in your argument.
It has been said that the NE is about 30 years behind the South in infrastructure.
I can tell you that the port facilities here in the NE and also in most of Brazil are a disgrace.
The THC ( terminal handling charges) are the same here in Brazil as they are in Rotterdam but the Brazilian end pales in comparison, as a matter of fact you cannot even start to compare the two ports.

Most all the ports have to be dredged but Brazil does not have the technical skills or equipment or personal to carry them out. Recently some contracts were given to Dutch firms to carry out the work in Pecem CE and Suape, PE with gringoes doing the work from Portugal, Spain, Holland etc.

The port internal infrastructure needs to be upgraded so your containers don't sit in dry dock for weeks or as in the case of one of my friends, 3 months

Rail transport is sorely needed as the cheapest mode of inland transport, but alas that is also missing.

Roads?? see IrishNatal comment concerning same.
 


Edited by agri2001 - 17 August 2012 at 14:51

Edited by Amsterdam - 27 August 2012 at 22:45