Brasília - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said that the Public-Private Partnerships Project (PPP), which is being debated in the National Congress, can help keep Brazil from becoming a "victim" of its own growth. "See how absurd this is. Brazil can be a victim of its own growth," Lula declared last night (9), during a ceremony at the headquarters of the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Odebrecht construction group.

Lula recalled that, previously, Brazil was the victim of a lack of growth, but, if industry continues to export as it has been doing, and agribusiness continues to expand and export, "we face the delicious risk of realizing that we lack the means to get this huge production potential that Brazil is presently enjoying to market."

According to Lula, in light of the large number of backups that exist around the country to get production to market, the government is taking steps to resolve the problem. "We have already detected the points [of congestion]. We hope that you, entrepreneurs, will help by conversing with the Senators to get the PPP project approved soon, to facilitate these partnerships," Lula remarked.

For the President, the delay in deciding things in Brazil constitutes an obstacle at times. "We often make the mistake of engaging in a lot of discussion, while the people are in a hurry, and, even more, Brazil is in a great hurry for things to happen," Lula said. According to him, "Brazilian entrepreneurs must stop thinking small. They need to stop being afraid of becoming multinational entrepreneurs and have to make their presence felt, because in the business world nobody gives anyone else a break. We want our companies to be in Brazil, but at the same time they should be in all parts of the world. That's how we shall build a great nation."

Senator Valdir Raupp (PMDB-RO), who is responsible for reporting the bill to institute the PPPs, affirmed that he will present the final report on the bill next week.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Nelson Motta
Translator: David Silberstein
11/10/2004