UK firms urged to join Brazil's building boom

A report from UK Trade and Investment encourages UK firms to get involved in some of the commercial opportunities from 80 projects needed to help Brazil host the FIFA World Cup 2014 and Rio Olympics 2016.

With an estimated 600,000 foreign visitors expected for the World Cup alone, 12 World Cup host cities to prepare and a Summer Olympiad to deliver, Brazil is facing a huge challenge. Estimates of the investment in infrastructure required to prepare for 2014 range from £10 billion to £30 billion. This will include:

• £1.5 billion on constructing and modernising 12 stadiums
• £1.4 billion expanding and modernising airports across the country
• Improving and expanding urban transport systems in the 12 host cities, a potential investment of up to £10 billion.

Faith Quigley, report author, said Brazil was investing billions in infrastructure to host the sporting events, from rail, roads, airports and stadia. “The know-how and expertise of UK companies, and the sporting links between our two countries, makes our firms well-placed to take advantage of these opportunities,” she said.