February 28, 2023

11:02

Gabriel Abreu – Amazon Agency

MANAUS – The Superintendence of the Manaus Free Trade Zone (Suframa) completes this Tuesday, 28, 56 years of its foundation, but since the Lula government began, at least two months ago, it has not been announced a name to assume the post of superintendent of the folder. In an interview given to CENARIUM MAGAZINE, on Monday, 27, the acting superintendent, Marcelo Pereira, said that the portfolio is strategic for the federal government, and that Lula is in a dilemma as to the choice of the holder, between a technical name or a political one.

The choice of a name is being held up by the political composition of the new government in the House and Senate. The last effort to distribute positions and strengthen the government’s allied base in Congress occurred during the negotiations to reelect Rodrigo Pacheco (PSD-MG) as president of the Senate, but there are still many vacant management positions in the Senate and in state companies. The Planalto Palace has intensified the articulations with the parties to fill the remaining vacancies in ministries and define which acronyms will take the command of state companies.

“The Superintendence of the Manaus Free Trade Zone is strategic for the federal government. It is so strategic that president Lula guaranteed that within the Tax Reform, the Free Trade Zone is untouchable, it needs to maintain its competitive advantages and comparative advantages. We cannot deny that the Superintendence of the ZFM is strategic, politically, despite being very technical. The federal government, it is, at this moment, acting on this decision of bringing in a political name or keeping a technical name. So there is this dilemma within the federal government,” Marcelo explained.

If Lula’s government decides for a technical name, Marcelo Pereira should remain in office. He was nominated, on an interim basis, by the Minister of the Civil House, Rui Costa (PT), on February 18, after the portfolio was still without a name. Before him, an opinion from the Federal Attorney General (AGU) allowed economist Ana Maria Souza, substitute executive deputy superintendent, to hold the position until the appointment of the new holder.

“So there needs to be a choice by the federal government of a name. Initially, this name is mine, so much so that 10 days ago an ordinance was published appointing me to the position on an interim basis. And the MFTz is technical, I am here not for the political issue, but for the technical issue of government transition. But what I can assure you, as a servant of the institution, is that we will be here to welcome whoever arrives, so that this person has governability”, Pereira stressed.

Tax Reform

The Industrial Pole of Manaus (PIM) has, approximately, 500 high-technology industries, generating more than half a million jobs, direct and indirect, mainly in the electro-electronic, computer goods, and two-wheeled vehicles segments. One of the central agendas of the economy is the discussions of the new tax reform. According to Marcelo Pereira, none of the proposals in Congress PEC 110/2019 and PEC 45/2019 address the political benefits of the Manaus Free Trade Zone.

“None of the proposals in the House and Senate meet us, on the contrary, attacks the competitiveness of the MFTz and that is why Suframa is available and in contact with the technical teams of the federal government and our parliamentary bench that is essential to this discussion. There is no doubt that our eight lawmakers make a lot of noise in Brasilia, they fight, effectively, for the MFTz and we are here to give all the support for this caucus and for the State Government that is also in this discussion. If someone says the perfect theorem of tax reform, which will not reach the MFTz, that he presents us at this time, it does not exist”, said the interim superintendent.

On August 5, 2014, Constitutional Amendment 83/2014 was enacted, extending the term of the Manaus Free Trade Zone benefits for another 50 years, until 2073. In the same year, it was also approved the extension of the term of incentives of all Free Trade Areas (FTAs) in the area covered by Suframa until December 31, 2050. These measures bring the necessary legal security for medium and long-term investments in the region.

BR-319

The interim superintendent of Suframa advanced, firsthand, during the interview, that the Ministry of Environment (MMA) will have a representative, in the seat, in the new composition of the Administrative Council of Suframa (CAS), which will be published by the government in the Official Journal of the Union (DOU) to discuss the paving of BR-319. The position in the Council opens the way for dialogue with Minister Marina Silva who, publicly, has already positioned herself against the paving of the road.

“The MMA will have a seat on the CAS. Minister Marina Silva, she will be here, at some point, together with her advisors for us to talk. The industry needs a new outlet. If the BR, the way it is, is not authorized, we will have offers from both the State of Amazonas and the federal government to find a solution for that road that is already established”, he explained.

Profile

Marcelo Pereira is a career employee at Suframa. He is graduated in Economic Sciences (2004), specialist in Corporate Financial Management (2006), master in Regional Development (2008) and doctor in Environmental Sciences and Sustainability in the Amazon.

He is an economist at Suframa (since 2008), an institution in which he is serving as: member of the Permanent Bidding Commission (2008-2015); assistant superintendent of Planning and Regional Development (2015-2019); substitute superintendent (2016 to 2017); acting superintendent (2017) and general coordinator of Economic and Business Studies (2019).

The full interview with acting superintendent Marcelo Pereira will be aired on Friday, March 3, at 8 pm, on Cenarium’s Youtube Channel.