Fiesp estimates 4.5% growth for the sector in 2011
Valor Econômico
After registering growth of 9.9% in 2010, the processing industry of São Paulo should grow 4.5% in 2011. Although below the result achieved last year, the estimate of the Federation of the Industries of the State of São Paulo (Fiesp) might be considered positive, because 2010 was an atypical year for the sector, with the production regaining vigor after the losses resulting from the global financial crisis in 2009.
"The numbers of last year are satisfactory. They show we had good recovery compared to the prior year. Of course the low basis for comparison allowed growth near two digits", said Paulo Francini, Director of the entity. The 9.9% growth was in line with the expectation of the entity, which projected 10% growth. It is the highest rate since 2004, when the indicator increased 13.2%.
The Fiesp also released the numbers of November and December. In the series with seasonal adjustment, the index increased 1.3% and 0.4%, respectively. That performance was enough for the industry to excel, for the first time, the level of activity seen prior to the crisis.
Despite the favorable perspectives for 2011, Francini assessed there are many doubts on the behavior of the national economy in the coming months, particularly regarding the prices of the commodities and the evolution of the exchange rate, which influences the domestic production and the volume of imported items.