Anuario Brasileiro do Cobre | Brazilian Copper Yearbook 2020

2020 Anuário Brasileiro do Cobre Brazilian Copper Yearbook 22 corporate taxes. I understand that industries are like the engine of our economy, they are the generators of wealth. Companies need to invest to grow. This is our position and we are defending it with FIESP, CNI and our board, which is aligned with these thoughts. How can the associate help in the development of this work agenda? Complaints, information and even guidance from members are part of this work. As president of SINDICEL, I try to compile this information and move towards improvement by creating a work front. In the last six years, for example, we have been able to involve other unions, like the metallurgists one, in the issue of labor reform. In addition, we become more sturdy because we are installed inside FIESP. The support of the board, including FIESP, through President Paulo Skaff, gives us more help, as our requests and wishes are carried forward. When it comes to Industry 4.0, what advances do you see in the copper sector? Industry 4.0 will happen, I have no doubts! The integration of technological advances in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, Cloud, among others, are advances that already exist and all sectors need to be framed in these new processes. The copper sector cannot be left out of these innovations. Industry 4.0 is coming to create more efficiency in the production chain and greater speed to serve its products and its customers. Historically speaking, at first changes are always frightening. Since the invention of the plow, the steam engine, it has been like that. Then, after the worriness about unemployment is surpassed, the moment of productivity to serve the population emerges. Howdo youevaluate the economy’sperformance so far? More equality needs to be generated. Social Security Reform is a necessary measure. Then a tax reform has to emerge to break the advantages of some sectors, to balance taxes. We look forward to rapid changes. What advances can the proposed reforms bring to industry in your opinion? We have to work with market law. There can be no state intervention for everything, you have to let things flow a little. There must be competition. In my opinion, when the state intervenes in monopoly form, it generates complications and distortions. The forecast for GDP growth for this year should not reach high levels. How does this affect the industry? The economy is going through a moment of many adjustments. We have a government that collects a lot but still doesn’t manage resources well, perhaps from past inheritances that the current government is trying to correct. And we have a financial sector that is a monopoly, has no free competition. Thus, national capital ends up being expensive for entrepreneurs who need to resort to bank financing. People have good ideas but no money. The taxes are very high. This whole scenario makes national investment difficult. Therefore, money begins to come from outside the country, from places like China. However, competing with other countries in the market turns out to be a bottleneck for domestic companies. The financial sector needs to be opened to facilitate loans. Minister Paulo Guedes had this initiative and it is now possible to acquire a micro loan. However, the rules must be clear and Congress cannot change them at all times. Foreign investment requires medium and long-term tax security. What policies are needed to improve competitiveness in the copper sector? I believe our industry and others, such as construction, need long-term policies. We want a better Brazil and we need people who want it for the country as well, not for their party. Today I hold the position of president of SINDICEL, but I know this is a passing condition. We have to convince the person who comes next to continue the same conduct, to follow the same line. Good ideas must come to fruition for us to improve. For this, it is necessary that ideas become State projects, with technical work, to improve the competitiveness of the sector. ENTREVISTA INTERVIEW We have a government that collects a lot but still doesn’t manage resources well. And we have a financial sector that is a monopoly, has no free competition .