“If you don’t have this incentive, the ZFM ends”, says Wilson Lima after Alckmin signals the end of the IPI

Manaus (AM) – After the Federal Government signaled that it intends to eliminate the Tax on Industrialized Products (IPI), Governor Wilson Lima (União Brasil) declared, this Wednesday (18), that he was concerned about the possible extinction of one of the main components of the set of incentives taxes that allows the competitiveness of the Manaus Free Trade Zone (ZFM).

In the same direction, parliamentarians from the federal bench of Amazonas told Em Tempo that they also fear this measure and are in defense of the economic model.

During a press conference this Wednesday (18), Governor Wilson Lima highlighted that there is “a lot of discourse” around the protection of the Manaus Free Trade Zone and pointed out contradictions of the new federal government.

That’s because, on Monday (16), the vice-governor and minister of Development, Industry and Commerce Geraldo Alckmin (PSB) announced, in a meeting with industry businessmen, that the initial priority is to advance the tax reform package that includes the extinction of the IPI.

“On the one hand, it is said that it will protect the Manaus Free Trade Zone, but when talking about the extinction of IPI, it is referring to the death of the Manaus Free Trade Zone, because in that basket of incentives that guarantee this deferral, the IPI is the main tax. If we don’t have this incentive here, the ZFM ends”,

said the governor.

Governor Wilson Lima highlighted that he had previously spoken with Alckmin and, according to the head of the state executive, the deputy governor assured that he would not take “any decision against the state of Amazonas”. He also added that, if the Federal Government’s position remains the same in relation to the end of the IPI, the Government of Amazonas will go to court.

“But his statement is very bad for the state and then I wonder why the guys are trying all the time to do this with the Free Zone. If we are unable to make progress in these conversations, have no doubt that I will once again go to court to guarantee competitiveness, above all, to maintain the jobs that are generated”,

stressed Wilson Lima.

meeting request

Representatives of different sectors of the industry in Amazonas requested an audience with the Minister of Industry and Commerce Geraldo Alckmin and with the Minister of Finance Fernando Haddad (PT) to discuss the economic policies related to the Manaus Free Trade Zone.

The request, sent by official letter by the entities on January 13, gained urgency after Minister Geraldo Alckmin’s statements on the end of the IPI. The text suggests that the hearing be held on February 14.

The letter was signed by the following entities: Federation of Industries of the State of Amazonas (Fieam); Industry Center of the State of Amazonas (Cieam); National Association of Electronics Manufacturers (Eletros) and Brazilian Association of Manufacturers of Motorcycles, Mopeds, Scooters, Bicycles and Similar Products (Abraciclo).

Bench

Like Governor Wilson Lima, Federal Deputy Silas Câmara (Republicans) told Em Tempo that he sees “with great concern” the position of Deputy Governor and Minister Geraldo Alckmin on the future of the Manaus Free Trade Zone with the end of the IPI.

“I imagine that the intervention of our bench in the congress and of the government of Amazonas, in this intention of the government [federal]it will be very important to paralyze this movement against our people and our economic model Zona Franca de Manaus”,

declared.

Federal deputy Alberto Neto (PL) stated that in a scenario where the IPI is zeroed, it would consequently bring the death of the ZFM. He also highlighted other benefits of the economic model for the Amazon, such as the defense of the Amazon forest, the reduction of inequality and regional development.

“The IPI is the main tax incentive we have. Of course, we don’t want to disrupt the tax reform, we want to improve the industry environment in our country”,

said Alberto Neto.

On social networks, Federal Deputy Fausto Jr (União Brasil) stated that it is necessary to “reduce the tax burden in Brazil” and, at the same time, guarantee the competitiveness of the Manaus Free Trade Zone.

He also highlighted that he maintained the same position he had in the last term, when the Bolsonaro government began in February 2022 a series of decrees that reduced the IPI for products produced in the ZFM.

“We do need, not only to simplify, but to reduce Brazil’s tax burden, and equally important, is to build a Tax Reform that respects the Manaus Free Trade Zone model and guarantees its competitiveness, which is undoubtedly a successful model of preservation of the Amazon and the generation of jobs and income in a sustainable way”,

scored.

Last Tuesday (17), the federal bench of Amazonas met with deputy and president of the Federal Chamber Arthur Lira (PP) to discuss the election of the Board of Directors of the Legislative House and the main agendas that involve Amazonas . One of the points debated, according to elected deputy Amom Mandel, was the defense of the Manaus Free Trade Zone (ZFM).

“We know that it is necessary to help preserve the Free Zone in its current form, we cannot simply replace our economic matrix overnight. On the other hand, our rulers, historically, in any sphere, have not made an effort so that we do not have this dependence on the Free Zone. I intend to make an effort so that we can diversify this economic matrix and so that we, in the future, are not dependent on a single matrix”,

said.

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