The port sector was the focus of the third meeting of the Italy-Brazil bilateral Working Group on investments, after the first two meetings held last December, which discussed energy, airports and motorways. During the meeting Brazilian Port Minister, Helder Barbalho, made an articulate presentation in which he outlined in detail the upcoming tenders and related procedures to representatives of Italian companies. The first ports to be adjudicated on Mar. 31 are in the State of Para, with three in the capital Belém, two in Santarém, and one in Vila do Conde. In addition, the minister outlined the incentives and financial mechanisms provided by the Brazilian authorities. The presentations were followed by a debate, which enabled Italian companies to clarify doubts and receive important information from the Brazilian government. The working group was established under the Memorandum of Understanding on investments, signed by Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni and Brazilian Planning Minister Nelson Barbosa, during Mr Gentiloni’s visit to Brasilia on Nov. 5. The working group, which is coordinated by the Italian Embassy in Brasilia and the Brazilian Ministry of Economic Planning, aims at exploring the country’s investment opportunities for Italian companies in the infrastructure and energy sectors.