Rio, November 18, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Next year the National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES) will launch a program to stimulate the renovation and expansion of the national fishing fleet. The program will not have a fixed budget but should be established along lines similar to those of the Moderfrota - the Program for the Modernization of the Fleet of Agricultural Tractors, Associated Implements, and Harvesters.
This information comes from the president of the bank, Carlos Lessa, who wants to have the program functioning by the first half of 2004. Lessa participated today in the I International Seminar on Aquaculture and Fishing, organized by the bank. The head of the Special Secretariat of Aquaculture and Fishing, Minister José Fritsch, also took part in the seminar.
In the Moderfrota, interest rates are pre-fixed and equalized by the Federal Treasury, varying according to the size of the borrower's earnings. If the farmer's gross annual income is less than R$ 150 thousand, the annual interest rate will be 9.75%; if annual income is equal to or greater than R$ 150 thousand, the annual interest rate will be 12.75%. Even though this rate exceeds the Long Run Interest Rate (TJLP), which currently stands at 11% per annum, it already includes the bank spread, which is calculated separately for loans based on the TJLP.
Lessa revealed that resources are available in the Merchant Marine Fund - traditionally used to finance vessels for international transport and the petroleum sector - which could be used to build fishing vessels. "The BNDES wants 'to get together,' but we don't know whether the other side, the entrepreneurs (in the fishing sector) also accept the proposal," Lessa said. Another instrument that could be used to develop the fishing sector is the BNDES Credit Card, which is already available for the purchase of machines and equipment via Internet.
Frisch informed that a Provisional Measure (MP) creating incentives for the development of the sector in Brazil is being examined by the Presidential Civilian Advisory Staff. The Advisory Staff is in the final stages of discussions on the subject, prior to issuing the MP, he revealed. Fritsch said that the federal government intends to double national fish production in four years, attaining 1.5 million tons annually. (DAS)
