“We’re Selling Everything,” Says President’s Chief of Staff on Privatizations

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – In a lecture directed to entrepreneurs in the Chamber of Industry, Commerce, and Services (CIC) of Caxias do Sul, on Friday, September 27th, the presidential chief of staff, Onyx Lorenzoni, again advocated the plan for privatizations of state-owned companies.

“Today there are 22 state-owned companies under the privatization process. The theory is this: it is up to the state to provide defense, security, health in conjunction with society, education, and that’s it. Everything else is for Brazilians to do. And we are going to sell everything, giving back to Brazilian society what belongs to them,” he said, being interrupted by applause from the audience.

On August 26th, the federal government announced the Investment Partnership Program (PPI) to privatize nine state-owned companies. According to Lorenzoni, Brazil has R$1.4 trillion (US$350 billion) in its portfolio. On Friday, he said the government should auction highways, energy, communications, oil, and steel companies by the end of the year.

He then mentioned the importance, from the government’s point of view, of selling state-owned companies, adopting an opposite stance to the policies of previous governments.

He also advocated the free trade agreement between Mercosur and the EU, the Welfare Reform and the Economic Freedom Law as key measures to maintain stability and strengthen the country’s economy.

The presidential chief of staff also took part in a visit to the University of Caxias do Sul (UCS), the Tachini Hospital in Bento Gonçalves, and will conclude his agenda in the state at a commemorative dinner offered for the 30th anniversary of Miolo winery.

Source: Globo

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