BRASILIA, Reuters – Brazil’s government expects to see private investment of 78 billion reais ($15billion) this year in infrastructure, an increase 95% over 2021. This is consistent with its expectation that the market will grow faster than it has.

According to the Secretariat of Economic Policy of Ministry (SPE), this estimate includes investments made under public-private partnership agreements that totaled around 40 billion Brazilian Reals last year.

Adolfo Sachsida, Secretary of Economic Policy, said that “it is a welcome increase” and would have an effect.

The SPE reported that investors committed to 1.3 trillion RAI in long-term investments into public-private partnerships. 360 Billion reais will be available between 2022 and 2025.

It does not include Eletrobras privatization, which is what the government wants to end state control by buying enough shares to reduce the current dominant stake.

The government projects an economic increase of 2.1% in 2018, mainly because of increased private investments and a better labor market. However, the economists who were consulted by the central bank during a weekly survey project an expansion only 0.3%.

Sachsida stated, “I believe we will have a better Year than many have anticipated.”

In mid-March the ministry will revise its macroeconomic forecasts. The secretary stated that the government can raise or lower its economic outlook “if necessary”.

($1 = 5.0514 reais)