Mato Grosso do Sul seeks Italian investment
The local government for Brazilian state Mato Grosso do Sul is holding talks with a number of Italian entrepreneurs from the leather sector in order to encourage tanners to finish their leather within the state.
State governor, André Puccinelli, believes there is a strong possibility of attracting investment in this way, which would give the local tanning sector a boost in terms of finished leather production and in processing by-products. Hopes have been raised following a recent Brazilian delegation to several leather-producing regions in Italy.
Mr Puccinelli said that the Mastrotto Group of tanners and the Sicit Group, which recycles products generated during the tanning process, have already shown an interest in investing in Mato Grosso do Sul.
According to Jonathas Camargo, superintendent of trade and industry for the local production and tourism office (SEPROTUR), the state offers all the right conditions for this sort of investment. “We have the largest commercial herd in the country as well as one of the most modern bovine processing structures,” he said. “Our installed production capacity is 16,000 head per day, not to mention other advantages offered by the state.”
October figures for the region showed that leather accounted for 5% of the state's exports, taking seventh place. Between January and October, Mato Grosso do Sul exported 38,200 tons of leather worth $93.2 million. Of this total, 11,900 tons were shipped to Italy at a value of $47.7 million.
According to Tereza Cristina Correa da Costa Dias, secretary of production and tourism, leather is the region’s top export to Italy. ”Exporting goods with high-added-value generates jobs and means more money along the productive chain,” she pointed out.
