Brazil and Mozambique rise in China’s infrastructure development index

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Brazil and Mozambique rise in China’s infrastructure development index

2:16 CAT | 13 Jun 2025

“The Report on the Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index (2025)” and “The Report on Portuguese-speaking Countries’ Infrastructure Development Index and Macao’s Achievements in Belt and Road Initiative (2025)” were officially released on 11 June at the 16th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum & Exhibition (IIICF). The aim is to promote high-quality participation in, and support for, the “Belt and Road” Initiative (BRI), and to leverage Macao’s role as a “precise contact” between China and Portuguese-speaking countries (PSC). [Photo: Government Portal of Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China]

Mozambique rose from 38th to 34th place in in a Chinese index for the construction of infrastructure worldwide, overtaking Angola, while Brazil has risen to fourth place, according to a report released in Macau.

In the 2025 ranking of the Belt and Road Infrastructure Development Index (BRIDI), led by Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and Malaysia, Brazil is the Portuguese-speaking country with the best score, having overtaken Vietnam into fourth place.

The initiative, announced by Chinese leader Xi Jinping in 2013, involves more than 80 countries in Beijing’s international strategic plan to develop maritime, road and rail links, as well as investment in energy resources.

Brazil “has continued to improve fiscal and tax policies and advance industrial strategies, leading to sustained improvements in the business environment and a steady increase in dynamism”, the report states.

Mozambique rose from 38th to 34th place in the index, with the country “demonstrating notable improvements” and overtaking Angola, which fell from 20th to 35th place, according to the document.

Adjustments to Mozambique’s monetary policy and revisions to the investment law “have fostered a more favourable business environment, allowing smooth progress on important projects”, the report explained.

Next among the countries of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) are Equatorial Guinea (56th place), Portugal (62nd), East Timor (67th), Cape Verde (70th), São Tomé and Príncipe and Guinea-Bissau (both 73rd).

The index assesses the environment, demand, receptivity and costs for infrastructure development in 84 countries.

The higher the score, the better the outlook for a country’s infrastructure industry and the greater the degree of attractiveness for companies to engage in investment, construction and operations in this area in those territories.

In the case of Portugal, the report highlighted the positive public accounts and stable foreign exchange reserves, “strengthening the country’s external payment capacity”, namely for investing in infrastructure.

The document also recalled that the government of Luís Montenegro “implemented a series of fiscal policies to stimulate the economy”, which “aim to optimize the fiscal structure [and] strengthen economic resilience”.

In addition, the report highlighted that Portugal reached a record in the production of renewable energy, which represented 71% of national electricity consumption in 2024.

The document was presented at the 16th International Forum on Infrastructure Investment and Construction, which is taking place in Macau until Thursday, bringing together representatives from more than 70 countries and regions.

Source: O Económico with Lusa