São Paulo – Fundo Operação Empresa (Operation Enterprise Fund – Fundopem-RS) and the Program for Harmonizing Industrial Development (Integrar/RS) are going to benefit eight companies in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The granting of the benefit was authorized last week by the state’s governor, Yeda Crusius. A total of 288 million Brazilian reals (US$ 171.6 million) will be invested and 763 new direct jobs will be generated, as well as thousands of indirect ones.
The funds may be used for financing the building, expansion, modernization or reactivation of industrial and agroindustrial plants, research centres and technological development centres. The enterprises are located in the municipalities of Antônio Prado, Gramado, Tupandi, Porto Alegre, Lagoa Vermelha, Pinhal, Viamão and Nova Boa Vista.
One of the benefit receiving enterprises Vonpar Refrescos, based in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre. The enterprise will invest 72.6 million reals (US$ 43.2 million) to expand its industrial facilities, generating 155 new job positions. The project includes increasing the production capacity through purchases of machinery and equipment. The aim of the company is to launch products in plastic packaging. The entire output will be geared toward the market of the state.
Another company that will benefit from the Fundopem is Nat Cereais, located in Lagoa Vermelha, in the Northeast portion of the state. It will invest 1.5 million reals (US$ 894,000) in the building of a new industrial pavilion, refurbishing and adapting another, and modernizing its factory park, generating 20 new jobs.
The enterprise manufactures flavoured oat flakes, granola-based morning cereals, oat flour, chaff, flour and cereal bars. The investment will result in increased output and the adding of a new product.
The investment programmes aim to decentralize investment to promote harmonic and sustainable economic and social development of municipalities and regions in the state.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
