WINDHOEK – The Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG), together with NamPort, last week attended the 21st Intermodal South America, which is the second biggest logistics expo in the world.
With a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$2 245 trillion in 2013, Brazil is the world’s 7th wealthiest economy. It is also the largest country in area and population in Latin America and the Caribbean, with close to 200 million people, and its continuous internal growth is demanding investments in areas such as urban and social development as well as transport infrastructure.
Government sponsored initiatives were launched to increase investment in infrastructure and tax incentives were given for faster and more robust economic growth.
Brazil’s strong domestic market is less vulnerable to external crisis, and Brazilians are benefiting from stable economic growth, relatively low inflation and improvements in social well-being.
International companies have as target several segments of the Brazilian economy, particularly oil and gas, biotechnology, tourism and electronic components.
Brazil has well-developed industries in sectors of agriculture, mining, manufacturing and service.
The main industries are textiles, automobiles, ships, airplanes, food and chemistry. It is the world’s biggest producer of sugar cane and coffee, and also an exporter of soya beans, cocoa and orange juice.
Brazil is also one of the leading hydroelectric power producers of the world. Brazil is considered to be the best emerging country for the retail industry, with an ample and growing consumer market.
Walvis Bay provides the shortest link to connect the massive Brazilian economy to the Southern African market, which serves as a very important trade corridor for Southern Africa as it is an emerging economic partnership and market.
Some of the products currently moving on this trade route via Walvis Bay from Brazil to Southern Africa include chicken, meat, furniture, consumables and construction materials.