Deutsche Bahn’s (DB) international consultancy arm is setting up a new national company in South America to take advantage of Brazil’s boom in infrastructure projects.
DB International Brasil, which will be based out of Rio De Janeiro, will handle contracts won by DB as part of preparations for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
DB International has already been awarded contracts in Brazil, including analyzing the efficiency of the Port of Santos in the state of São Paulo in 2011. It also developed master plans for the SuperVÃa (urban transit) and MetroRio (subway) local transportation companies in Rio.
Last month, Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff announced a 54 billion euro infrastructure program that would see an additional network of more than 10,000 kilometers of rail and 7,000 kilometers of road built for the sporting events.
DB was selected from 37 national and international bidders to create a rail and logistics master plan for the north and northeast region of Minas Gerais.
Niko Warbanoff, chairman of the board of managing directors of DB International, said: “Our expertise is also in demand in Brazil, where we are now establishing a permanent presence.
“We will continue to build on our excellent contacts and expand our strategic position in the Brazilian market through our new national company.”
