Santos sparks interest from international companies with ZPE

Companies from other countries are interested in investing in Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in Santos. This assertion comes from the state secretary of Economic Development, Jorge Lima. "When I go on roadshows (trips to meet with businessmen seeking investments), and I've just returned from India, everyone perks up when I mention the possibility (of EPZs in Santos). There's interest because the Port of Santos is a powerhouse", he assures.

EPZs are free trade areas intended for the production of goods for export and the provision of services linked to export activities, usually located near ports. The Continental Area of Santos is the region under study for this purpose due to its capacity for expansion and proximity to the Santos' port complex.

"There is already a consensus among the Federal, Municipal and State governments and an appetite from investors that you can't imagine. There's no reason not to have an EPZ (in Santos). We are the largest port in the Southern Hemisphere. I am a supporter", says the secretary.

Excitement

Jorge Lima is excited about the topic because he is certain that there will be significant competition among companies to establish themselves in Santos. "(The Port of Santos) is not like the others. I won't talk about the other states because it seems like I'm belittling them, but that's not it. It's the size, the significance that São Paulo has. Attracting investors here will be the easiest thing. We'll have to draw lots to see who pays more, who creates more jobs or who invests more money in the city", he comments, also advocating for the expansion of the Port's Poligonal (coverage area), which involves areas of Santos and São Vicente.

Path

On May 28th, the Santos City Hall sent a complementary bill to the Municipal Chamber to update the land use legislation of the Continental Area - the last regulation dates back to 2011 - and to adapt the activities carried out in the area to urban and touristic development.

On April 1st, an economic viability study confirmed the vocation of that region to host an EPZ, according to the Santos City Hall and Infra SA, which conducted the survey and passed on this information.

Although the president of the federal public company, Jorge Bastos, verbally confirmed this viability during a presentation at the headquarters of the Santos Port Authority (APS), the study was never released.

Flexibility

Representatives of authorized Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in the country urged speed and legal flexibility from the Federal Government for the implementation of industrial districts in bonded warehouses. The discussion was promoted by the Special Subcommittee on EPZs of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) of the Chamber of Deputies.

Currently, in Brazil, the EPZs of Pecém (CE) and Parnaíba (PI) are in operation. The EPZ of Bacabeira (MA) awaits the publication of a presidential decree to be implemented, and nine others are authorized: Cáceres (MT), Uberaba (MG), Aracruz (ES), Açú (RJ), Araguaína (TO), Bataguassú (MS), Imbituba (SC), Suape (PE) and Senador Guiomard (AC).

All EPZ projects are analyzed and approved by the National Council of Export Processing Zones (CZPE), under the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC).

Promotion

According to the executive secretary of CZPE, Fábio Pucci, there are at least 56 projects under review in the council. He said the government's intention is to promote export zones and, to that end, intends to hold regular meetings every three months, in addition to expediting project analyses.

However, the president of the Brazilian Association of Export Processing Zones (Abra-ZPE), Helson Braga, argued that CZPE should convene extraordinary meetings with interested parties to expedite procedures. "The legislation already provides for extraordinary meetings; any member of the council can request them", he said.

The commercial director of the ZPE of Ilhéus (BA), Bruno Dauster, emphasized the need for changes in legislation. "The process by which the EPZ is defined is wrong", he said.

Law

EPZs were established through Federal Law 11.508/2007, which was replaced by Federal Law 14.184/2021. The Subcommittee on Public Policies for Export Processing Zones is chaired by federal deputy Florentino Neto (PT-PI), who led the proceedings.