Agência Brasil*
Manaus – Starting next year, at least 40 micro and small companies based in the northern Brazilian state of Amazonas should be directly benefited by funds of up to 150,000 Brazilian reais (US$ 82,000) each, for the development of technological innovation projects.
A 6 million real (US$ 3.3 million) agreement was signed yesterday (16) between the Ministry of Science and Technology, through the Studies and Projects Funding Body (Finep) and the Foundation for Support to Research in the State of Amazonas (Fapeam). The initiative is part of a national project, according to Finep representative Renato Cislaghi, that forecasts investment in 17 states in the country, marrying federal and state resources.
To him, Amazonas is in the lead in this initiative, as it is the second state to establish a partnership with the ministry. "The objective behind this partnership is to provide incentives to the development of innovative projects aimed at stimulating an innovative culture and competitiveness among micro and small companies. Last week, the first agreement was signed in Minas Gerais and today, in Amazonas, we have consolidated the proposal," said Cislaghi.
The Fapeam president, Odenildo Sena, pointed out that the signing of this agreement may change the profile of research, currently practically entirely concentrated in universities, generating more jobs and boosting the economy of the states. "The state government is helping establish a new concept and culture. It is necessary to invest in companies, in innovation and in taking researchers into companies," he said.
*Translated by Mark Ament
