If for many, the year only starts after Carnival, in the economic sphere the situation is different, especially in times of crisis. JF 2020 the climate is a true race against the clock to promote changes that offer a more favorable scenario for the generation of job and lace.
In this aspect of urgency, the economy of the Zona da Mata has been on the agenda of a permanent agenda between the Public Power, sector leaders and research institutions.
The most recent meeting took place last Wednesday (19), held between representatives of the State Government and the Municipality of Juiz de Fora (PJF).
Business Expansion
For these agents, the attraction of new investments to the city and the creation of an environment that favors the expansion of already installed businesses are essential for local development, which also depends on the economic strengthening of the other municipalities in the region.
Regarding prospecting for new business, the information from the Minas Gerais Investment and Foreign Trade Promotion Agency (Indi-MG) is that, in 2020, no protocols of intent have been signed by companies interested in Juiz de Fora.
“But the city is competing with other municipalities in several projects that we are seeking for the State”, says the director of natural-based productive chains, Ronaldo Alexandre Barquette. Without informing what the projects would be, he believes that the local economic vocation guarantees a good structure for receiving companies from the automotive, aerospace, metal-mechanic, logistics and life sciences sectors.
Emphasizing that Indi-MG presents possibilities, but the final decision on the place of installation rests with the company, Barquette characterizes the city's potential as “excellent”.
dry port
Certainly “Porto Seco is a great differentiator. We also have land available, a fantastic electrical system, gas pipeline, railroad”, he lists. “The city is next to the regional airport and is very close to Rio de Janeiro, which also has a port.
The economy relies on local productive arrangements, such as craft beer, a strong metal-mechanic sector and a consumer market that includes municipalities in the Zona da Mata and in the state of Rio.”
However, he points out that the regional reality can be an obstacle to local development. “JF 2020 is a developed island located in a deprived area.
Although the number of people from outside who depend on the city, especially in the area of health, creates an overload”, he analyzes. “We need to support the economic strengthening of neighboring municipalities. Therefore, efforts are being made to develop the Zona da Mata as a whole.”
As one of the initiatives in favor of regional development is the creation of the Zona da Mata Biokerosene and Renewables Platform. The proposal is that, in 2031, the region will be producing around 230 million liters of aviation biokerosene.
On April 2, the State Government will hold an event to publicize the Biokerosene Platform.
Industry will gain innovation agenda
2019 was not an easy year for the industry. Early on, the collapse of Vale's dam at the Córrego do Feijão mine. In Brumadinho, it brought direct impacts to the entire mining chain. Subsequently, JF 2020 followed the reduction of Mercedes-Benz activities and the withdrawal of the M. Dias Branco project.
Responsible for employing 19,758 workers and moving around R$ 44 million per month in wages, the sector has great relevance for the local economy, but has been facing a history of ups and downs in recent years.
The Municipality's main proposal for the sector, in JF 2020, is to strengthen companies already installed in the city based on the creation of an innovation agenda. So offer training on how to transfer resources to the research application.
Law of Good
“It is a short-term and perennial action. The idea is to promote events to bring information about the Lei do Bem, which guarantees this possibility to entrepreneurs. Although it is still unknown by many”, informs the secretary Rômulo Veiga.
Law 11,196/05, known as the Good Law, provides for a reduction in the collection of Corporate Income Tax. Although for companies in any area that invest in research, development and innovation.
“It is a very interesting initiative, as it promotes income within the municipality”, explains Rômulo. According to him, the first training courses on the subject will take place in the first quarter of the year.
