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Manager of Canada's public pension bullish on Brazil power and water sector, CEO states

After nearly twenty years in Latin America, the Canada Pension's supervisors still see space to expand in the region and particularly Brazil, where they think a flourishing tidy energy sector and water concessions offer longterm opportunity.

CPP Investments, the general public pension's property manager, has about C$ 36 billion ($ 26.71 billion) under management in Latin America, or about 5% of its international portfolio, in sectors from electric energies and sanitation to realty, telecoms and logistics.

Although the world's seventh largest pension fund has no geographical targets, President John Graham told Reuters in a rare interview he expects the area's share of the portfolio to hold stable and even rise.

We try to find markets where our company believe we can scale assets, establish relationships and collaborations, Graham stated at CPP Investments' offices in the Sao Paulo monetary district on Friday.

Brazil represents nearly half of the fund's investments in Latin America. Amongst the key properties is Auren Energia, a top power generator and a significant player in energy trading that CPP formed in partnership with Brazilian financial investment holding business Votorantim.

I would say, worldwide, the energy shift is most likely among the patterns for the previous three or 4 years that we have actually. been most excited about, Graham said.

Abundant hydroelectric resources and wind and solar power. capacity have made Brazil a local leader for eco-friendly. energy, regardless of growing discomforts in some areas where generation has. outstripped the nationwide grid's capability.

Brazil is likewise advancing towards universal water and sewage. treatment, with numerous state governments opening public utilities. to private financial investment and control, drawing in attention from CPP. and others.

This is a sector that is going through an important. improvement, from being state owned to going to the hands of. advanced private operators, stated Ricardo Szlejf, head of. Latin America infrastructure at CPP Investments.

The fund is majority investor of water and sewage. operator Igua Saneamento and has a stake in. Equatorial Energia, the lead investor in the. privatization of Sao Paulo's Sabesp, among the. largest water and sewage energies on the planet.

CPP Investments also made a direct investment in Sabesp,. highlighting its interest in the sector, which provides steady and. foreseeable capital, vital for pension funds intending to. produce sustainable returns over decades.

As part of its fast growth, the fund has diversified. around the world, inspiring its 2006 entry into Latin America,. which Graham says has paid off.

CPP Investments recently reported a 10-year annualized internet. return of 9.1%, and Latin America has performed almost in line. with the international portfolio, in Canadian dollars, he said.

I think what has worked out is being patient, having. flexible capital and a long-lasting point of view, Graham said,. including that the fund has actually likewise leaned heavily on its local group,. presently 36 workers in Sao Paulo.

(source: Reuters)