Contribuições das ferrovias Norte-Sul e Centro-Atlântica na expansão do vetor externo da economia do Centro-Oeste

The objective of this study was to examine the extent to which the railway modalities implemented in the Midwest region have contributed to boost the integration process of this region to the main international consumption centers. In order to do so, it was adopted the hypothesis that the export vector has to boost the transformations in the productive structure of the Midwest, integrating, therefore, this regional space to the logic of valorization of international capital, particularly to the main centers of consumption located in the markets Asian countries. For that, in the methodological aspect, the descriptive and analytical method was adopted. Finally, it can be observed in the investigation that the railway modal in the Midwest presented strong evidence to contribute, directly and indirectly, to reinforce the development strategy outlined in this region, from the 90's of the XX century, of integrate these local economies through national integration and development with the main centers of international consumption, especially those located in the Asian region.