AmBev promises to invest US$ 2.3 billion
Valor Econômico
The negotiations started yesterday between the representatives of Ambev, the largest manufacturer of beverages of the Americas, which produces the Brahma and Antarctica brands, among others, and the Government on the proposal to freeze the tax burden falling upon beers and soft drinks ended inconclusive. So as to prevent the increase of the collection of the some taxes (PIS (Social Integration Program) and Cofins (Social Security Financing Contribution) and IPI (Excise Tax)) on beverages, entrepreneurs have assured the Minister of Finance, Guido Mantega, the collection of federal taxes in the sector will increase 10% this year, as a result of the increase in the sales, without it being necessary to adjust the values on which the taxes are calculated.
The company representatives also undertook to make investments of the nearly R$ 4 billion (US$ 2.3 billion) this year, in the construction and enlargement of plants and distribution centers. The Ministry of Finance received the request made by Ambev, and it preferred to analyze the proposal before answering it. The economic area intends to examine the effects, on the funds of the Federal Revenue, of a possible adjustment of the values that make up the calculation basis. The Ministry of Finance will take into account that an increase in the tax load for the beverage sector may result in an automatic transfer of the burden to the prices charged the consumer.
Besides the effects on inflation, the risks of taking unpopular decisions, such as the increase in the prices of beer, on the eve of the holding of the FIFA Soccer World CupTM in South Africa, will also be assessed. Another meeting between the representatives of Ambev and the Government will be scheduled on a date yet to be set to settle the issue. In the meantime, the company has undertaken to keep the planned investments.