Peruvian exports to Brazil via the Transoceanic South highway may start by the end of the year, state news agency Andina reported Peru’s Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister, Martin Perez, as saying.
“There are high expectations for the use the Transoceanic South in both Brazil and Peru,” Perez said. “Authorities from the [Brazilian] states of Acre, Rondonia and Mato Grosso have offered to organize a joint program to begin trade between the two countries.”
The Foreign Trade and Tourism Ministry has sent representatives to Acre, Rondonia and Mato Grosso to identify logistics that will be required to provide Peruvian and Brazilian exports.
“The mission identified potential operations and clients for bilateral trade between Peru and Brazil and the sectors to work on are food and construction materials,” Perez said.
A Peruvian supplier of construction materials is planning to use the highway to supply Rondonia and Mato Grosso. Brazilian companies in the states have requested purchases from the company worth $65 million for construction projects related to the 2014 World Cup.
The Transoceanic Highway will connect the southern Peruvian ports of Ilo, Matarani and Marcona to the Brazilian ports of Rio de Janeiro and Santos. The mega project entails the repair and new construction of roughly 2,600 kilometers, or 1,615 miles, of roads and 22 bridges.
Peruvian authorities say it will promote development due to an increase in forestry, agriculture, and mining investment. However, environmentalists say the highway will also have grave environmental and social impacts on the region, and jeopardize sustainable eco-tourism.
