Chinese consortium’s ‘smart city’ project raises eyebrows and questions in Brazil
- Brasil CRT pledges investment of US$1.85 trillion in state of Paraiba, garnering widespread media attention
- But suspicions arise after a video of the proposal apparently duplicates that of a project for Shenzen, China
A Chinese property development consortium’s pledge to invest nine trillion Brazilian real (approximately US$1.85 trillion) in a new “smart” city in Brazil, has sparked excitement in the country – as well as scepticism.
That’s not a typo. The investment, nearly equivalent to Brazil’s 2022 gross domestic product of US$1.92 trillion, is allegedly targeted for Mataraca, a town in the northeastern state of Paraiba with a population of just 8,000.
Brasil CRT, a joint venture between Brazilian and Chinese interests based in the state of Minas Gerais – almost 2,200km (1,367 miles) from Mataraca – announced the project last week.
Plans for the smart city, which would span more than 27,000 acres, include residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, leisure facilities, educational institutions, hospitals, a stadium and an “offshore” style harbour.
The company said that it would accommodate 250,000 residents and draw up to 1 million tourists annually.
Jurandi Calaciano, Mataraca’s public works secretary, said that discussions with the consortium have been extensive.