Banks Offers $11.8 Billion for Sao Paulo-Rio Rail by 2016

Brazil's national development bank, BNDES, has offered to lend nearly $12 billion to help fund a high speed rail link between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, the country's two biggest cities.

The 30-year loan will pay interest of 6 percent plus another percentage point in fees related to credit risk, state lender BNDES said in a statement. Borrowers will only start paying the loan six months after the expected start of the train service between Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro by 2016.

The BNDES funding is equivalent to 60 percent of the estimated 33 billion reais cost of the project. The consortium that will build the railway will be picked in an auction scheduled for Dec. 16, the statement added.

Brazil offers to lend $11.8 bln for high-speed train
Reuters
November 8, 2010

Officials Still Unsure About Sao Paulo Stadium Pick for 2014

Which of the city's stadia will play host during the 2014 World Cup is still in question, as upgrades to the Morumbi Stadium are still progressing too slowly for officials to get behind it. The city has its eyes on hosting the opening match, but capacities at local stadia -- even those under renovation -- may not be enough to accommodate the event's requirements.

City officials and members of the World Cup organizing committee met Wednesday but failed to come up with a stadium proposal to send to FIFA, although they insist the goal is for the city to host the competition's opening match.

No decision yet on Sao Paulo stadium for 2014 WCup
Associate Press
July 21, 2010

Stadium Competition in Sao Paulo Ahead of 2014 World Cup

Officials representing Sao Paulo's Palmeiras soccer club have officially submitted their documentation to be considered as a host pitch during the 2014 World Cup.

The Arena Palestra is under construction and is expected to be ready by the end of 2011. Corinthians' Pacaembu stadium needs renovation that would cost nearly 200,000 U.S. dollars and Morumbi has been repeatedly criticized by FIFA for fan visibility problems and accessibility.

Palmeiras makes official bid to host 2014 World Cup games
Global Times
July 21, 2010

Brazil Eyes High Speed Rail Line

The Brazilian government is planning to build a high speed rail line to connect Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, its two largest cities. Construction of the line is not likely to be complete by 2014 when the country hosts the World Cup, but will probably be operational in time for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The government will auction the concession for building the line this December.

The tender offer projects a total cost if 34.6 billion Brazilian reals ($19.5 billion) for the bullet train. Of this, BRL20 billion in financing will come from Brazil's National Development Bank, or BNDES, and BRL4 billion from import-export banks in supplier countries, leaving a little more than BRL10 billion for financing by private sources.

The auction will take place at Brazil's BM&FBovespa stock exchange in Sao Paulo on Dec. 16 and will be open to both domestic and foreign investors.

Brazil Sets Dec. 16 For Auction Of Bullet Train Concession
Automated Trader
July 13, 2010

Delays Threaten Sao Paulo's Hosting Duties for 2014

Sao Paulo's hosting of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil are still up in the air, as progress on the city's stadium have been mired in delays. FIFA officials and Local Organizing Committee head Ricardo Texeira are warning that the city needs to speed up its preparations.

Sao Paulo's plans were thrown into confusion last month when the committee and world governing body FIFA dropped the proposed venue, the Morumbi stadium, because the city had failed to provide financial guarantees for the renovation of the arena.

"If Sao Paulo wants to host the opening game or the competition as a whole, the deadline is getting close," Teixeira told reporters.

Time running out for Sao Paulo 2014 hopes
Reuters
July 8, 2010

Questioned Sao Paulo Stadium Approved as Possible 2014 World Cup Host

FIFA officials have announced that Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo is fit to host first-round, second-round, and possibly even a semi-final match during the 2014 World Cup. FIFA released the statement after a Brazilian newspaper reported statements by a FIFA officials indicating Morumbi Stadium would not be considered as a host venue.

The statement said information was provided on what needs to be improved for the stadium to host a semifinal, and "FIFA is currently waiting to see these improvements."

FIFA had previously said it was not satisfied with the project for Morumbi Stadium.

FIFA says Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo is ready to host group games at 2014 WCup
The Associated Press
April 13, 2010

FIFA and Brazilian Soccer Club Come to Terms Over Stadium Renovation

FIFA and a Brazilian soccer club have come to an agreement over the contentious renovation of a Sao Paulo stadium for the country's 2014 World Cup. FIFA had apparently been concerned about reforming the Morumbi stadium, and had criticized renovation plans that apparently did not meet FIFA specifications. But the club and FIFA have ironed out the issue.

"The latest information about the saga between FIFA and Sao Paulo is that the latest project fulfilled all our requirements," Valcke told reporters.

"It's seems there is a clear understanding on what we are looking for."

The Morumbi stadium in Sao Paulo is expected to serve as one of the venues for a semi-final match during the 2014 World Cup.
FIFA and Sao Paulo reach agreement over stadium plans
Reuters
March 19, 2010

Host Cities Selected for 2014 World Cup in Brazil

12 host cities have been selected for Brazil's 2014 World Cup.

There were no real surprises as Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Cuiaba, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Manaus, Natal, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Sao Paulo were given the go-ahead to stage games in the tournament.

Seventeen cities had submitted bids and Belem, Campo Grande, Goiania, Rio Branco and Florianopolis were the five to miss out.

The selection covered all the main regions of Brazil and results in a tournament which will require plenty of long-distance travel for teams. The South American country is the fifth biggest in the world by geographical size.

... FIFA had originally wanted just 10 venues for the finals but were persuaded by the Brazilians to allow two extra ones.

FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said there was an enormous amount of work to be done in the coming five years.

"There is not a single city ready to host a World Cup game today or even in six months time," said Valcke.

Source:
FIFA names venues for 2014 World Cup in Brazil
The Guardian
May 31, 2009