On Sep. 13^th, the Brazilian Government announced a plan for the concession and privatization of thirty-four infrastructure projects, including oil and gas, mining, electricity distributors, hydroelectric plants, airports, railways, ports and basic sanitation.

The projects are estimated to be auctioned in 2017 and the first semester of 2018.The public notices have not yet been released, but the Government has made a few promises:

(i.)  A one-hundred-day term for interested parties to analyze the projects;

(ii.)  The winners will not be selected based on the offer with the lowest tariff for the consumers, but rather on the highest payment offered directly to the Government;

(iii.)  Winners will have no obligation to associate with state companies and therefore there will be less Government participation in the projects;

(iv.)  Concessionaires will be offered incentives to issue debentures to finance the projects, of which up to 50% may be subscribed by BNDES (the Brazilian state-owned bank for national development);

(v.)  Environmental licensing or clear guidelines to obtain the necessary  licenses will be granted early by the public bodies;

(vi.)  Targets regarding the quality of the services to be rendered will be clearly stipulated by contract;

(vii.)  There will be fewer restrictions on the participation of foreign companies.