April 8 - Brazilian project forwarder, Primax Transportes Pesados, is set to continue its expansion throughout Latin America with the opening of offices in Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela this year, reports Rainbow Nelson from the Intermodal exhibition in

The Sao Paulo-based equipment specialist clinched representative offices in Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay in 2009, as it followed Brazilian mining and energy companies into new markets.

The company already has 28 representatives throughout Latin America but it is keen to secure a presence in the north of the continent to capitalise on key investments being planned by Brazilian companies in the energy sector there.

Gilberto Nobre head of the group's international division said the company was looking to find representatives in Colombia first in a bid to secure a position on large projects being developed including the expansion of two Ecopetrol refineries in Cartagena and Barrancabermeja.

Brazilian mining giants Vale and MPX are also looking to accelerate their activities in the north-east of the country.

"It is a strategic decision to prioritise businesses in other countries, extending our technological know how and quality already present in the markets where our principal Brazilian clients are active," said Primax director Antonio Luiz Leite.

Created in 1963, the company offers project forwarding services specialist engineering services, as well as the positioning of equipment including cranes and hydraulic lifts.

It is optimistic that its business will grow by more than 20 percent in 2010 following the successful expansion of its business into Peru, Bolivia and Paraguay last year.

As well as Brazil, the group is already active in Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.

Reconstruction in Chile following the earthquake in January is also expected to boost its business said Leite.