December 22, 2022

12:12

Mencius Melo – From Amazon Agency

MANAUS – Economists, rectors, teachers and professionals from Amazon States launched, this week, in social networks, a manifesto in support of the name of Congressman Jose Ricardo Wendling (PT), to assume the superintendence of the Manaus Free Trade Zone (MFTZ) in the management of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. José Ricardo is a lawyer and economist and has, according to the professionals who signed the manifesto, experience in the Industrial Pole of Manaus (PIM).

Politician affiliated to the Workers Party (PT), José Ricardo was not successful in his bid for re-election as a federal lawmaker, despite the good vote he had. For Inaldo Seixas, one of the economists supporting the name of José Ricardo, “There are challenges to the MFZ model and the PIM, a model that has suffered a series of systematic attacks in recent years, and we thought the name of José Ricardo because he is an economist who knows the PIM, because he worked in the industries of the PIM”, said the economist who complements:

“Besides worker who worked in the pole, he, as an economist, knows the mechanisms because he gave advice to industries installed in the PIM. And, as a parliamentarian, defended, strongly, the model, especially in the management of Minister Paulo Guedes that both attacked the MFTz. José Ricardo made the uncompromising defense of industries located in Manaus and, I believe he knows how to use technology 4.0, also knows how to use the arrangements for research, development and innovation. Ultimately, is someone very prepared”, evaluated Inaldo Seixas.

Articulation

The support network for José Ricardo’s name also extends to education, agriculture and technology professionals. According to anthropologist and social scientist Alvatir Carolino, professor at the Federal Institute of Amazonas (Ifam), the support for the lawyer and economist is even greater. “In fact, the letter of the economists is one of the letters of support for José Ricardo in the MFTZ. They are professionals in technology, education, agriculture, among others, who also support him to take the MFTz”, detailed.

Also according to Alvatir, the expressions of support for the parliamentarian are not, simply, expressions that are exhausted in themselves. “It is not a question of indicating a name, it is a question of a change of thought and action. Our idea is to open a channel of communication to enforce Suframa’s precepts that never got off the ground or were little applied. Among them, for example: the use of biotechnology which, to date, is only a building in the Industrial District”, he criticised.

“It is possible to observe in our movements, that the idea is more than just occupying a position, it is to assert the connection of teachers, researchers, workers and producers of knowledge. Suframa needs to move forward. We have to go beyond boards and chips. We have to move forward in the production of knowledge. We have to use biotechnology and advance in the production of food and other technologies beyond what is already done in the PIM. And, therefore, José Ricardo is the best name”, explained Alvatir Carolino.

Union

Another segment that positioned itself was the oil workers. The general coordinator of the Amazon Oil Workers Union (Sindipetro), Marcus Ribeiro, stated: “Representative José Ricardo has demonstrated, countless times, his commitment to the MFTz in the parliament. As representative of the Amazon, he fought tirelessly to maintain and strengthen the companies that are installed in the PIM”, said the union leader.

According to Marcus, besides setting up a gain for the “experience and ability” of the deputy, the unionist makes other projections. “I also reinforce the deputy José Ricardo’s fight to keep Petrobras in our State. He is with us in the fight for the Manaus Refinery to return to Petrobras’ hands. He is with us in this fight and, therefore, we support his name as superintendent of Suframa”, he added.

Suframa

The Superintendence of the Manaus Free Trade Zone (Suframa) is a federal government body created on 28 February 1967 and its objective is to foster the economic development of the Manaus Free Trade Zone region and the Free Trade Areas in the states of the Northern Region.

The Manaus Free Trade Zone comprises the municipalities of Manaus, Rio Preto da Eva and Presidente Figueiredo. The Free Trade Areas include the municipalities of Macapá and Santana, in Amapá. Bonfim and Pacaraima, in Roraima. Guajará-Mirim, in Rondônia. Tabatinga, in Amazonas, Cruzeiro do Sul and Brasileia in Acre.

The reportage of AMAZON AGENCY contacted the advisory of the lawmaker José Ricardo Wendling, to hear the position of parliamentary in relation to the support shown, but until the publication of this article there was no return.