July 26 - Heavy lift freight forwarding network, the Project Professionals Group, is to hold its annual conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's second largest city, in June next year.

PPG general manager Kevin Stephens said it was timely to hold the meeting in Rio with Brazil gearing up for major international events including the 2014 World Cup and the Olympics Games in 2016.

Stephens said: "PPG members have also been successfully working on project cargos in the region for some time, particularly in regard to supporting the renewable energy industry."

PPG member for Brazil, Lisboa Despachos Internacionais, will be the local host assisting with the organisation of the conference.

Managing director Dominik Keller said: "Hosting the PPG conference in Rio provides the opportunity to showcase the business opportunities and partnerships that are available in Brazil and throughout South America."

PPG members, represented in over 100 countries, voted for the Brazilian venue at the conclusion of this year's annual conference in Antwerp.