Brazilian Minister of Mines and Energy Bento Albuquerque has said Chinese companies are interested in investing more in power generation, oil, natural gas, biofuels and mining in Brazil, Agência Brasil reports.

The state-run news agency quotes Mr Albuquerque as saying in an interview broadcast by TV Brasil that Chinese investors in Brazil had told him during a recent visit to China that they wished to put more money into the South American country because the environment for doing business there had become more predictable.

Mr Albuquerque was interviewed during a visit to the United States where, he said, he had met US potential investors in Brazil, Agência Brasil says.

The Minister is in New York to attend the 74th United Nations General Assembly, whose high-level debate begins today.