Industrial Investment Opportunities in Brasilia

Brasilia is a hub of opportunities. This maxim is the phrase that was uttered most often during Brasilia´s Government mission, led by Governor Agnelo Queiroz, to the Middle East, Asia and Europe, with my participation, representing Brasilia´s industry. At a meeting held in Singapore over lunch at the Shangri-la, I was able to present Brasilia´s potential to 20 representatives from local businesses. And the phrase that opens this text is not a clichê.

Brazil´s Federal Capital enjoys a privileged location at the epicenter of the entire Brazilian highway network. As such, for the Federal District, there is the prospect of investments in transportation infrastructure, facilitating links with the Country´s main ports. The Logistics Hub is under implementation and will be located between Samambaia and Recanto das Emas, housing fresh and frozen meat food companies. Thus, we will cultivate our export market, which is focused on these products, even further. Our Dry Dock occupies a space of 200,000 square meters and is located near the city of Santa Maria. Its infrastructure offers a yard for heavy goods vehicles, customs authorities and warehousing. The customs office will enable the flow of products to strategic transport corridors within the country, especially along the East-Central corridor, of which the Federal District is a consortium member.

In addition, we have 24 Economic Development Areas (EDA’s), which are designed to receive companies of all sizes, provided they are in accordance with the vision for the Federal District ´s economical and social development. Another of the Capital´s attractions is the FCO´s (Central West Constitutional Fund) resources, the objective of which is to contribute to the Central West´s economic and social development, starting with loans at attractive interest rates. This year alone, the FCO has a budget of R$ 945 million for the Federal District.

Our current flagship is the Digital Capital Technology Park. Anticipated for years by the local production sector and about to get off the ground, it will be a major instigator of innovation for the Country and for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Policies. The expectation is that the technological hub will attract companies throughout the country, and also of international standard, being predicted to install close to 1,200 firms generating almost 25,000 direct jobs. The ICT sector, as in developed countries, is the Federal District´s explicit industrial vocation, which should prospect sizeable investments.

When we talk about consumer potential, Brazil’s capital exhibits numbers that´ll make your eyes pop out. Brasilia, with a population of 2.5 million people, has the highest GDP per capita in the country, R$ 45,977.59 as opposed to the national average of R$ 15,989.75. The Planning Company for the Federal District (Codeplan) estimates that the Federal District´s GDP reached R$ 140.9 billion in 2010, with the public sector accounting for more than 50% of the total. The Federal Capital is also an excellent place to live, according to the Human Development Index (HDI), as it resembles that of developed countries. The Federal District´s HDI is 0.900 – the highest in the country which is above the national average (0.820). And we must not forget that we are talking about the administrative capital of the country, from where the most important political, local, and therefore commercial decisions come, and with substantial demand when considering government procurement.

This is our smorgasbord of opportunities. Brasilia´s responsibility is to be a stimulation hub for Brazil’s development, but, because of its proximity, the Central West region even more so. And industry, commerce and local services have a role in generating income for the families who live here, but do not work for the government. We must increase our participation in local GDP. Governor Agnelo Queiroz`s mission is of great value to the implementation of various projects that had already matured some time ago, such as the Financial Centre and City Airport. The trip´s itinerary included Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Germany and Italy. Everywhere I travelled I learned from what we don´t have, saw what we could have and spoke openly about what we are able to offer.