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Ceara tourism sector to receive US$250 million

The NE Brazilian state of Ceará will receive US$250 million for investments related to tourism. The funding comes via the Inter-American Bank, with consideration of the Federal Government. This amount represents 1/4 of the total funding for the Country.
 
Of the sum of US$1 billion of the Program for Development of National Tourism (Prodetur), $250 million will be applied in Ceará. "For us, the state is the main focus of Brazilian investments in the tourism sector," said the minister of tourism, Luis Barreto.
 
The financial contribution of tourism in the state is divided between the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), 60%, and a consideration of the Federal Government, which invests the remaining 40%. "They amounts will be US$142 million from the IDB and US$ 108 million from the Ministry of Tourism", detailed Barreto. The Foundation's director of Tourism of Mato Grosso do Sul, Nilde Brun said "The money is guaranteed".
 
The State is the first in the country to participate in the new model of Prodetur, which is now national, and projects that are already receiving investment are: the reform of road sections linking the municipalities of the Beberibe Aracati, Redenção the package and the extension of the road from Viçosa São Benedito. "The infrastructure works lead to the surrounding regions, as the region of Porto das Dunas," said Bismarck Maia.
 

Infrastructure
Luis Barreto called the Northeast a region in development and that "thanks to the support of Prodetur and municipal governments, state and federal bench, Ceará, the state drives the regional tourism growth." Besides the sum of Prodetur, other US$ 115 million was invested in Ceará in 2008. "These are programs aimed at the infrastructure and professional training. Among the actions we have the expansion and construction of airports and Aracati of Jericoacoara, improvement of Praia de Iracema, investment in the Convention Center and sanitation" Barreto stated.
 
The promotion of Brazil as a tourist destination abroad will receive investments of $91 million. The money is for advertising and marketing, mainly in Europe and Latin America. The president of Embratur, Janine Pires, stated that this year initiatives for the World Cup in 2014 have already started. "We will seek strategies to strengthen those who can come on direct flights, from Europe or the United States," he said. Other activities seek to encourage the population with greater purchasing power to come to invest in NE Brazil "We started an overseas campaign in September," he concluded.

Mercopress - 23 Apr 2009