This Thursday, the Brazilian Minister of Transport acknowledged Brazil’s interest “in helping” the Portuguese airline TAP in the privatization process, considering the company strategic for the whole of South America and in particular for his country.
“The geographical position of Portugal certainly makes the country an important center for both the European Union, Asia, the Middle East and Africa,” emphasized Renan Filho in an interview with Lusa.
Thus, “TAP occupies a strategic position for the whole of South America and especially for Brazil,” where it is one of the companies with the most flights, he recalled.
The Portuguese government will approve at the Council of Ministers on the 28th a diploma that will set the basis for the TAP privatization process.
The Brazilian state’s interest is to help make the Portuguese airline profitable, the minister said, since only Brazilian airlines or other private investors would be able to participate in the privatization.
“Brazil has no experience in using resources [do Estado] neither in companies nor in their own,” emphasized Renan Filho.
However, there are Brazilian companies that “collaborate with TAP” and are “major investors in Brazil,” he stressed.
The Brazilian state “can help strengthen the company by increasing the attractiveness of air routes, guaranteeing passengers and people-to-people exchanges and requiring that planes do not fly empty between Brazil and Portugal. I think there will certainly be interest in this sense.” .
Brazil, he continued, “can have a dialogue – as I am doing here with regard to investments in highways – on the other hand, with regard to investments in airlines,” he said.
The possibility of Brazilian investors becoming part of TAP’s shareholders has already been discussed at hearings with Brazil’s tourism minister and a representative of the Portuguese carrier, and the issue was also tabled in the Chamber of Deputies in the middle of this month, Lusa said.
During this debate, Workers’ Party (PT) MP Washington Cuacua argued that Brazil should “acquire a piece through national resources” together with European or Portuguese partners.”
A presentation by this commission on the website of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies states that the goal of the partnership will be to create an international “hub” at Galeão airport, in Rio de Janeiro and at Humberto Delgado airport. in Lisbon “for flights connecting Brazil, Portugal, Europe, Africa and Latin America.”
The transport minister, emphasizing in an interview in Lisbon today that he does not oversee aviation, stressed that the decision to select shareholders and privatize TAP airline “is highly Portuguese” but acknowledged his country’s “interest” in the process.
Renan Filho, who met with Portuguese Infrastructure Minister Joao Galamba on Wednesday, said he did not touch on the privatization of the Portuguese airline because in Brazil it is overseen by another ministry, aviation.
But he insisted: “Portugal is a very important country for all the countries in South America from an airport point of view” because it is closest to the region and “is one of the main hubs for reaching other countries.”
This is “relevant for Portugal, to attract tourists and businesses, and it is relevant for South America, it facilitates communication with countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia,” he emphasized.
In this context, “Brazil will certainly be interested in discussing this issue,” acknowledged the minister, who believes that his country “will be open to discussion and cooperation, looking for ways to keep TAP a strong company.”
“If Portugal is interested in negotiations with other countries, then there should be interest from Brazil because of the company’s importance for passenger traffic and air transport between the two regions, between Europe and South America,” said Renan Filho.
But in a meeting with Minister Galamba on Wednesday, the Brazilian minister spoke about Friday’s presentation of the concession plan and asked him to talk to all Portuguese companies about the modernization that Brazil is living.
“I have asked construction companies and concessionaires to inquire about the new plan. I will do this directly, but I have also done this with government agencies to reach all stakeholders. I think he will do it. Because Minister Galamba is interested in cooperation,” he said.
On the same day, the Minister also visited the Traffic Management Center of the concessionaire BRISA, where he was introduced to the Portuguese Association of Highways and Toll Bridge Concession Companies (APCAP).
On Thursday morning, before the interview with Lusa, he met with the president of the company Infrastructure of Portugal (IP), Miguel Cruz, with whom he signed a cooperation agreement aimed at exchanging experiences.
Friday will be a road show day for investors, not only Portuguese but also European.
The Brasil Transport Invest Roadshow – Portugal will take place on Friday morning and will be organized with the support of FIBE – Forum for the Integration of Brazil and Europe.