The National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) has approved financing of R$125 million for Concessionária das Rodovias Integradas do Sul SA (Viasul), whose highway sections were affected by the rains that hit Rio Grande do Sul starting last April. Working capital support for the company’s most immediate liquidity needs will be provided by BNDES Emergency Program for Rio Grande do Sul.
Viasul operates sections of highways BRs 101, 290, 386 and 448 in Rio Grande do Sul, totaling 473.4 km. During the climate disaster, the concessionaire’s network was affected at 101 points with blockages. The highways suffered structural damage, such as landslides, subsidence and flooding in long stretches of the road.
To restore traffic, the priority was to intervene on the highways with emergency actions. The concessionaire mobilized emergency cleaning, signage and diversion services, in addition to guiding the operational teams to ensure the safety of users.
“The federal government has been working tirelessly to revive economic activity in Rio Grande do Sul. This support in working capital to reestablish the road network will be essential for the productive sectors and will benefit a large part of the population,” said the Minister of Reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul, Paulo Pimenta.
“In line with the Ministry of Reconstruction of RS, BNDES approves another operation that aims to guarantee the continuity of the provision of services and the trafficability of the highways in Rio Grande do Sul that were damaged in the floods of April and May of this year”, highlighted the president of BNDES, Aloizio Mercadante.
The program
The BNDES Emergency Fund for Rio Grande do Sul supports actions to reduce and adapt to climate change, in addition to addressing the socioeconomic consequences of extreme rainfall in Rio Grande do Sul. The instrument is valid until December 31, 2025, or until the total R$15 billion in resources are used.
“Viasul is a fundamental route for the economy of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, having been severely impacted by the climate catastrophe. With the emergency credit, BNDES provides liquidity for the project, which incurred extraordinary expenses to maintain the trafficability of the highways managed”, said Luciana Costa, director of Infrastructure, Energy Transition and Climate Change at BNDES,
“The program’s budget is divided into three lines with different purposes: working capital (emergency credit), acquisition of machinery and equipment, and investment in the reconstruction of affected businesses. By meeting the most immediate liquidity needs, working capital is essential for maintaining jobs, paying salaries, renewing stocks, and settling commitments with suppliers,” announced BNDES.
