Disbursements from the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) totaled R$ 37.2 billion in the first quarter of 2013, an upsurge of 52% if compared to the same period in 2012. The level of disbursements is the highest in the BNDES’ history for the first quarter and indicates a significant recovery in investments.

On April 11, the President of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), Luciano Coutinho, announced the renewal of the BNDES Support Program to Develop the Industrial Health Sector (BNDES Profarma). In its third phase, the program will have an allocation of R$ 5 billion, will be valid until 2017 and will introduce a new subprogram, Profarma-Biotechnology.

On April 1, the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), the National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) and the Financier of Studies and Projects (FINEP) signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement to create the Support Plan for Technological Innovation in the Electric Sector- Inova Energia.

The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) has approved a loan to the state government of Rio de Janeiro in the amount of R$ 4.3 billion. The resources are earmarked to implement infrastructure for Line 4 of Rio de Janeiro’s subway, which will connect Barra da Tijuca, on the west side of the city, to Ipanema, in the south zone.