Investe SP creates project to attract foreign investments for health
Investe São Paulo
Increasing the supply and quality of health services offered to the population in the state of São Paulo by attracting foreign investments, including both public and private services. This is one of the new sectoral projects of Investe São Paulo – agency associated with the Department of Economic Development, Science, Technology and Innovation – after the effectiveness of the law that permits the opening, to the foreign capital, of the provision of health services, ranging from the construction and management of hospitals to the production of equipment, among other activities.
With an experience that includes the attraction of more than 100 investments to the state of São Paulo, which total R$ 28.1 billion and generated 54,000 direct jobs, Investe SP will encourage its team to attract major international groups in the health industry, with proven productive efficiency, both in management and in the entire chain, including new technologies, research, innovation and health insurance.
The president of Investe SP, Juan Quirós, said that it opened a window of opportunity capable of turning the state of São Paulo into a national and international reference center of innovation in terms of investments in health. “It is certain that we will be able to attract large investors to add successful experiences to the health sector in São Paulo and in Brazil. The entire chain will benefit, including the professional and technical education sector,” he said.
According to Juan, the increased supply will result in better quality and lower cost, both in the private and public sectors, which may enter into PPPs (Public Private Partnerships). “People will feel, at the end, the result of this investment, which will bring innovation to hospital management,” he said.
The so-called Health Project, an action promoted by Investe SP, will enable investments in the private sector’s production chain, including machinery and medical and hospital equipment, supplies and drugs, thus creating a new business environment. Juan Quirós, who has experience in the international market, recalled that Investe SP has already attracted major companies in the sector, such as Bionovis, Orygen and Toshiba Medical, and among others.
One of the main expectations, which will bring rapid results, is the contribution of global companies in the management of 46 philanthropic hospitals in the state of São Paulo. The same experience can be applied to the 568 education establishments (133 of which are public) focused on health.
The arrival of new companies, management techniques, products and equipment will be able to quickly double the funds that finance health in Brazil. Today, 56% of the activity is already funded by the private sector. The expense for the sector as a whole totals R$ 289 billion/year, which is equivalent to 8% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to IBGE.
According to Juan, foreign investors will be interested in São Paulo and in the Brazilian market, which still has much to grow. Figures from the health sector in Brazil indicate, for example, that 38.3% of manufacturers of medical and hospital equipment are in the state of São Paulo, 13.1% in Minas Gerais and 7.1% in Rio Grande do Sul. There are 3,670 companies in total. In the pharmaceutical industry in the country, São Paulo is home to 72% of manufacturers.
“With this initiative, São Paulo will be the center of innovation in Health in Brazil,” said the president of Investe SP.