Funding and Financing Capital-Intensive Local Infrastructure in Brazil: Financialisation, Managing Risk and Local Economic Development

There is a disconnect between financialisation and infrastructure in developing and emerging economies (DEEs). In this seminar Professor Bryson explores this disconnect through a critical reading of the debate on financialisation and its application to infrastructure investment in Brazil. Brazil is one of the largest DEE economies and has a major infrastructure gap. It has been estimated, that bridging this gap requires R$1.1 trillion, the equivalent of one-fourth of Brazil’s 2012 GDP. 

In 2014, the Brazilian government announced planned infrastructure investment, through a mix of government and private funding, of R$500 billion over the next decade. Up to 80% of project costs will come from the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) at subsidised rates; BNDES is partly funded by a payroll tax. This will place significant pressure on this bank’s balance sheet. To overcome this, the government wants to persuade the private sector to invest in infrastructure operations. Professor Bryson will explore the ways in which the Brazilian government is trying to financialise infrastructure assets.

Resilient Cities Theme

Session Leads:  Professor John Bryson

Seminar Series: Wednesday Lunchtimes at the IGI  

The IGI are pleased to invite you to our Wednesday lunchtime seminar series. Seminars are led by our theme leads, as well as external speakers. Refreshments are available from 12:00 with seminar between 12:30 and 13:30 followed by Q&A and networking opportunities.

All are welcome and are encouraged to promote seminars in their network and groups.

We look forward to seeing you there!