Brazil hopeful of trade rise after port investment

Belt and Road expansion has helped put southern city on map

PARANAGUA, Brazil - Since China Merchants Port set up shop in Paranagua, things have picked up in the small southern city of 151,000 residents.

In February, the company acquired a 30-year concession for 90 percent of the Paranagua Container Terminal, the country's second largest, and launched operations there, including expansion work to handle Brazil's growing commerce with China.