The Mato Grosso do Sul position and the continental projection of Brazil: the bioceanic corridors and infrastructure projects

Abstract

The article aims to present the geographical (political and economic) importance of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS) for the connection of Brazil with its South American neighbors and particularly in the construction of Bioceanic Corridors. Thus, in addition to being a geopolitical platform (for projecting influence), it is argued that MS has enormous productive and logistical potential within the scope of South American integration. Still, with the objective of contributing to public policies, a mapping of the main infrastructure projects that can improve the integration of the MS with neighboring countries is presented. It’s given an emphasis to those that are part of the bioceanic road corridor, and how these projects should be viewed from a broader set and structuring of projects and investments, notably those of a multimodal nature. For this reason, it’s also presented some relevant rail and river transport projects – waterways and ports – even North-South sense. The methodology used involves the bibliographic review of authors of Brazilian geopolitics, databases and documents on South American physical integration, especially from UNASUR and IIRSA, documents from government agencies (BNDES, for example), and news published by the government of Mato Grosso do Sul or by the local press.