Pernambuco: Sudene registers R$ 188 million in investments in the state in 2023

The Northeast Development Superintendence (Sudene) registered a value of almost BRL 188 million in investments in the state of Pernambuco from January to April 2023. The total invested in 2022 surpassed the BRL 2 billion mark. Economist César Bergo explains that Sudene, like the Superintendence for the Development of the Amazon (Sudam), is important for the region in which it operates.

“Both Sudene and Sudam are of fundamental importance for the development of the Northeast and North regions of the country. These superintendents act exactly in this promotion, in the development and in the economic growth of the companies located there and also so that projects can be made viable from an economic point of view”, says Bergo.

Among the tax incentives granted to companies present in the areas where Sudene and Sudam operate is a 75% reduction in income tax (IR) based on profit, provided they have an installation, expansion, modernization or diversification project within the sectors of the economy considered priorities for the development of the region.

In addition, the legislation provides for the possibility of depositing 30% of the IR amount owed by the undertakings, plus 50% of own resources, for reinvestment in modernization projects or the purchase of equipment. However, incentives are only valid until December 31, 2023.

Extension

With the aim of extending this deadline, federal deputy Júlio Cesar (PSD-PI) presented the PL 4416/2021, which extends the validity of the benefits until December 31, 2028. César Bergo recalls that Brazil is a country marked by economic inequalities and highlights the importance of extending the benefits for the development of the North and Northeast. For him, the end of incentives will have negative impacts on the regions.

“With regard to maintaining the subsidy, and approved until 2028, it would really be very important. You will be able to have new projects, you will be able to generate jobs and income in that region and also retain labor in those regions, thus helping to avoid disorderly migration. You generate jobs in the region and contribute to the development of each state and you then have a gain in the economy of the country as a whole”, says the economist.

On the last May 24th, the Chamber’s Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Commission (CCJC) approved PL 4416/2021 conclusively – when there is no need for a vote in plenary – and awaits appeal at the board of directors. If presented with the signature of 52 deputies, the appeal will be voted on in plenary and, if approved, the project will also need a vote before being sent to the Senate for analysis. Federal deputy Silvio Costa Filho (Republicanos-PE) highlights the importance of the extension.

“When we have incentives like these, we will leverage more and more, provide investments in the North and Northeast to seek more and more social equality and create opportunities for everyone. This project will be very beneficial for us to have predictability and increasingly stimulate industry in the North and Northeast of Brazil”, he says.

Sudene operates in all states of the Northeast region, in part of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo. Sudam’s operations cover the states of Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Mato Grosso, Rondônia, Roraima, Pará, Tocantins and part of Maranhão. The objective is to promote, through tax incentives, the inclusive and sustainable development of these areas.

According to Sudene, in 2022, the value of investments registered in the Northeast exceeds the mark of R$ 22.6 billion. In the first four months of 2023, the value is already over BRL 4.1 billion.