One of our readers wrote a comment recently that the expression “infrastructure of cambodia, prices of St. Tropez” was how his wealthy Russian friend described Brazil after a recent visit to Bahia. Although the comparison sounds somewhat exaggerated, we thought the expression was descriptive enough to become the title of a post to show how the “cambodian-style” infrastructure in Brazil is a drag in the economy. Hence, let us describe this issue by providing a simple example of a bottleneck on development: the railroad system.
A survey by the Brazilian National Confederation of Transport shows that the “turtle-speed” freight rail lines has been getting worse. Eight of the 13 railroad lines surveyed lost performance in 2010 when compared to 2009 (see below). The trains that carry products such as soy, corn and steel travel on average 25 km/h. When one thinks it can’t get worse… in Brazil, it does.
It is not exagerated. I would say: African services and infrastructure with St, Tropez prices.
I think your 7,000 died on the highways figure is an error. It is more like 37,000+
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_traffic-related_death_rate
Gene, great catch, thanks. We have corrected the typo…
Regards,
BB
As the author of the original Cambodia/St Tropez post, can I suggest two other models? In the 70s natural gas was discovered off the coast of Holland. Credit loosened, house prices boomed, then an international recession hit in 1979 and property halved in price. In the 80s oil was discovered off the coast of Finland. Same story.
Remind you of anywhere ?
Would be interesting to compare the figures.
Prezado Sr. Bubble.
Escrevo em Portugues pq não me sinto confortavel em Inglês e quero te contar uma história verdadeira e extremamente pertinente e pesso que repasse, sem os devidos exageros, pois é uma história real mas os detlahes eu ouvi dizer, os coletei e relato aqui..
Certo dia em 2008 correu a notícia que um grande cruzeiro transatlantico iria aportar em Ubatuba – SP pela primeira vez na história com hordas de turistas ricaços. Imagine a cena: os restaurantes da cidade inteira dobraram os seus preços, taxistas, bares, a cidade inteira precificou a visita de 5 mil endinheirados, do dia pra noite a simples Ubatuba mais cara que New York. A prefeitrua contratou shows, uma fanfarra, tapete vermelho e já pensava em entregar a chave da cidade pro capitão.
No tão aguardado dia, todos apostos, vereadores, taxistas, guias turísticos, pedintes, vendedores, , a bandinha da prefeitura, o padre, a apresentação de bate-lata da escola, a capoeira, um bando de curiosos, aspones e o próprio prefeito em pessoa. Bem, eis que no tão aguardado dia não desceu nem meia duzia, nem nunca mais parou lá outro cruzeiro.
Não será assim na Copa?
provavelmente sera assim na copa. so quem tem pacotes comprados e e fanatico vai comparecer. serao transportados, hospedados e servidos como parte do pacote. os demais vendedores ficarao a ver navios.
THE SPEED OF CORRUPTION IS INCREASING THOUGH…
The corruption is intrinsic to any society of humans, not an exclusive benefit to brazilians. Of course it has different levels among the countries, and Brazil, as a recently developing country, has many things to do in this subject. 50 or 60 years ago, they were one of the poorest places on earth, lacking almost everything, from industries to the self-steem of the population. Brazil is improving in good steps, although it could be somewhat faster, but it is in the right direction. Such short time from being an outsider of the development is not worth to build a pristine infrastructure and to deal with the other historic problems there are present in the last five hundred years of existance.
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