Brazilian Economy Minister Paulo Guedes said here on Friday that basic sanitation will be a priority for the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) in the near future.

The minister said during a seminar that the BNDES will be more focused on the social arena, adding that the development bank will channel more financing to sanitation projects in order to increase sanitation network coverage in the country, which is currently at 66 percent.

The country's congress will analyze proposed new regulations on sanitation, which, if approved, will allow private companies to take concessions in the sector and participate in public bidding processes.

"The BNDES' role is much more a qualitative one, of choosing good projects and helping governors and mayors make good social projects, instead of lending money to national champions," Guedes said.