The importance of building a Ferroeste spur between Cascavel/PR and Chapecó/SC was the main agenda of ACIC President Lenoir Broch this week in Brasilia. He and Western Regional Vice President Facisc (Federation of SC Business Associations) Milvo Zancanaro visited deputies, senators and ministers to protect the interests of the state and the West.

ACIC and Facisc announce Western demands in Brasilia – Photo: Divulgation/MB/ND

The enterprises of Santa Catarina sponsored a study proving the possibility of building a railway line. To stimulate investor interest in the Chapeco-Cascavel branch, ACIC, CEC, Facisc, Faesc, Fiesc, Ocesc and Sindicarne, in addition to ABPA, have allocated 750,000 reais to pay for an economic, technical and environmental feasibility study. In June 2022, the Government of the State of Parana started consultations on the Nova Ferroeste auction notice. The railway line will connect Maracaju in Mato Grosso do Sul with the port of Paranagua in Paraná with a branch west of Santa Catarina. The length from Cascavel to the west of Santa Catarina will be 263 km, 18 tunnels and 31 viaducts and bridges.

“The process is underway, and, judging by the information we have, the auction should take place as planned. This is our expectation,” says Broch. According to the President of ACIC, this is an issue that needs to be constantly addressed in order to be successful for many years to come. “The railroad will be a great asset to attract businesses across the region by reducing transportation costs for all types of input materials,” emphasizes the president of ACIC.

The sale of products from Santa Catarina to the European market was on the agenda of the visit to the headquarters of the Brazilian Institute of Information in Science and Technology (IBICT), which is part of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. Part of the role of Facisc and business associations is to provide subsidies so that companies can open up a market for their products, Zancanaro said. “We are looking to partner with the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) so Santa Catarina companies can take advantage of the benefits of the European Union itself, this will open the door for many companies who want to sell their products in Europe but do not know how to do it.” .

Broch notes that there was also discussion about the possibility of the Mercoagro 2023 European mission, which will take place from September 12 to 15, so that importers can learn about products from the West. “At Mercoagro, we will also discuss the issue of infrastructure, which concerns the railway, at the Codesul logistics symposium that will take place during the exhibition,” he explained.

Other issues discussed in Brasilia were the need for tax reform and BR-282. ACIC advocates a complete tax reform that simplifies and places a fair tax burden on companies. It also emphasizes the need to keep BR-282 in safe conditions for the movement of people and goods. The construction of a third runway and its duplication are goals that ACIC has been striving for for decades.

“It was a trip with a very productive agenda, we had several meetings and the opportunity to speak with parliamentarians who are advocating for the need for the Ferroeste branch, as well as other important requirements for the development of the region and the entire state,” concludes Broch. .