São Paulo – The governor of Bahia state, Jaques Wagner, should be in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, on Wednesday (12), seeking investment by businessmen from that country in the Salvador metro. The information was disclosed by the Social Communications Secretariat (Secom) of the state.
The value of the metro project for the capital of Bahia state is R$ 3.5 billion and includes the construction of 24.2 kilometres of the second line, 13 stations, implementation of the trains, interconnection and also operation of the line for 30 years.
The Bahia state metro line should operate in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) system and the government’s intention is for the tendering of the project to be issued by November this year. Salvador already has six kilometres of metro built, though not in operation, in the so called Line 1, which crosses Arena Fonte Nova, the stadium to host matches in the 2013 Confederations Cup. With the partnership for line 2, the government of Bahia plans its metro to be in operation by the tournament. The expected implementation of line 2 is 36 months.
The search for foreign capital caused the government of Bahia to meet with businessmen in Spain and Singapore, from where it should head to the Emirates. Wagner travels in the company of Cícero Monteiro, Urban Development secretary of the state of Bahia.
"We have several Brazilian businessmen interested, though it is my obligation to attract further investor and, thus, make this tender even more competitive,” said Wagner on the Conversa com o Governador radio programme, produced by Secom.
"Investors worldwide show interest in well elaborated projects. Our metro project is very well evaluated by international organisations and by national banks. It is a very significant investment,” pointed out the governor.
*Translated by Mark Ament
