Cieam event debates the continued competitiveness of the Manaus Free Trade Zone

Manaus (AM) — The Manaus Free Trade Zone (ZFM) will host on the 21st, at 9:30 am, a hybrid event that will discuss the operationalization of maintaining its competitiveness under the terms of Constitutional Amendment 132/2023, through complementary laws that will establish the tax on goods and services of shared competence between states, the Federal District and municipalities.

The debate panels will take place in person at the Suframa building, in Manaus, with live broadcast on YouTube. Registration can be done via the website www.cieam.com.br.

According to Luiz Augusto Rocha, president of Cieam, the meeting will be a time to join forces, share visions and ensure that regulations also reflect the needs and potential of the development model for the Amazon and the country.

“The participation of all people related to the diversification, densification and internalization of our economy is decisive and fundamental, to ensure that the Manaus Free Trade Zone continues to be a beacon of prosperity, innovation and sustainable development. Together, we can ensure that the achievements achieved in Constitutional Amendment 132/23 are effectively implemented, benefiting not only Amazonas, but all of Brazil”,

highlights the executive.

The event aims to contribute to the operationalization of this amendment, through complementary legislation, to ensure that the conditions determined by legislators are effectively implemented and can maintain the competitiveness of the ZFM industry.

“This meeting creates an invaluable opportunity to inform and debate with Amazonian and Brazilian society regarding the current situation, discussing and contributing to the necessary regulation”,

highlights Luiz.

“We are dealing with the regulation of Tax Reform and this event of ours will provide the opportunity to discuss the topic based on the work of an exempt and highly credible entity, such as the CCiF. On this occasion, we will debate, point out and ensure that the fundamental rights for the competitiveness of our economy are also included in the regulations, guaranteeing the legal security of industries in Amazonas and Brazil”, explains the president of Cieam.

Mediated by tax lawyer and member of the Cieam board, J. Portela, the meeting will have two debate panels. The first challenge is to discuss proposals for operationalizing taxation for the ZFM. The topic will be discussed by experts Alex Del Giglio, finance secretary at the State Secretariat of Finance of Amazonas (Sefaz), Marcio Holland, coordinator and professor at the School of Economics at Fundação Getúlio Vargas (EESP-FGV), and Nelson Machado, director from CCiF and professor at EESP-FGV.

The second panel will address the impacts of possible taxes foreseen by the text of the Tax Reform with Suframa economist, Patry Boscá, with Serafim Corrêa, Secretary of Economic Development, Science and Innovation of the State of Amazonas (SEDECTI) and with Bento Antunes de Andrade Maia, researcher at CCiF.

Economic development

Constitutional Amendment 132/23, which deals with Tax Reform, was enacted at the end of last year.

“Maintaining ZFM’s competitiveness in complementary legislation, as established by Constitutional Amendment 132/2023, is an opportunity to ensure that the Manaus Industrial Pole continues to be an engine of economic development, responsible for generating approximately 500 thousand direct jobs, indirect and induced, contributing to the preservation of the Brazilian Amazon for the world”,

says Luiz.

“In Cieam’s assessment, this approval crowned years of work, as our proposals were considered and the importance of the ZFM industry was considered. I strongly emphasize the great commitment of the Amazonas bench, being recognized nationally as extremely influential, aligned and competent”, celebrates Luiz.

“This is a highly relevant event, whose objective is to contribute and provide subsidies for the maintenance of the competitive advantages of the Manaus Free Zone provided for in the constitutional text, and which must now be part of the complementary Laws. Therefore, Abraciclo supports the participation of these experts, who will certainly enrich our debates and the formation of knowledge on the topic”, highlights Marcos Bento, president of Abraciclo.

Strengthening ZFM

Suframa’s superintendent, Bosco Saraiva, highlights that events like these provide special spaces for the construction and exhibition of ideas that could prove essential for strengthening ZFM.

“This meeting is important for the future of the region, as it will make it possible to bring to light fundamental ideas and proposals to maintain competitiveness and local economic development. It is an opportunity for everyone involved to contribute to the strengthening and improvement of this important Brazilian industrial hub”, highlighted the executive.

“This is the time to ensure victory in complementary legislation, bringing Amazonian society into the debate. But, as important as maintaining Pim’s competitiveness and continuing to generate around 500,000 jobs, is ensuring the internalization of development in our region. To this end, it is essential to promote investments aimed at the well-being of the population, such as access to treated water, decent housing, basic sanitation, and investments for the development of new production chains associated with the bioeconomy”,

said Luiz Augusto Rocha.

According to the president of Cieam, it is also necessary to promote investments in infrastructure and logistics appropriate to the region, such as river marking, connectivity through the interior of the Amazon, generating renewable energy sources and developing training and qualification programs for workers, among other points.

“The Sustainability and Economic Diversification Fund needs to be regulated with this mission that is so important for our sustainable socioeconomic development, always focusing on keeping the forest standing. We need and will also act on this front”, concludes the president.

*With information from consultancy

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