The government of the northeastern Brazilian state of Ceará, Chinese state-owned healthcare technology enterprise Meheco Corp. and China Development Bank have agreed to a plan to invest US$4 billion in the healthcare industry in the state, Globo reports online.

The Brazilian television network says Chinese money will be put into building new public hospitals and renovating old ones, and into buying equipment and medicines.

The report says Ceará Governor Camilo Santana has flown to China to discuss investment in his state with representatives of China Development Bank.

Meheco is seeking to attract Chinese investment in several Brazilian states this year, Globo quotes Meheco Project Manager Roberto Jiao as saying.