the presence of a major port also resulted in rio de janeiro being a vital hub of international import and export activities, along with coastal trade with other areas of brazil and south america. rio's port region (area portuaria) is currently being gentrified and redeveloped, with the planned inclusion of several cultural centers and museums - more can be seen about the project 'porto maravilha' for the port development on this page.

the federation of industries of rio (firjan), estimates that investments in progress or planned in rio for the next five years amount to r$ 155 billion, of which about 50% to be disbursed between 2011 and 2016. shipbuilding, metallurgical, oil refineries,  petrochemical, gas, pharmaceutical, textile, beverages, and furniture industries are based in the city.