Finep reduces financing interest rate for research and innovation projects
Valor Econômico
The Studies and Projects Financing Agency (Finep), connected to the Ministry of Science and Technology, reduced yesterday the interest rates charged on its loans, as it went along with the recent reduction of the Long Term Interest Rate (TJLP), from 6.25% to 6% a year. The institution for the promotion of research and development raises funds pegged to TJLP and offers lower interests as an incentive to research, development and innovation. Several of the credit modalities offered have negative rates, taking in account the inflation of the last 12 months.
In the line of the mobilizing programs in strategic areas of the Government Policy of Productive Development (PDP) - nanotechnology, energy, biotechnology, industrial complex of the health and information of technology - the rate was set at 4% a year. The same interest rate was established for a new line launched yesterday - of pre-investment and consulting engineering -, aimed at the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC, in Portuguese), the integration of South America, the projects aimed at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the "My House, My Life (Minha Casa, Minha Vida)" program. The highest interest rate of the Finep, of 8% a year, was set for pre-investment projects not directly related to the Governmental policies.
In the line of the PDP programs, to consolidate sectors in which the country is already a leader, like oil, steel and pulp, the interest rate fell to 4.5%. Regarding the programs to strengthen competitiveness, which cover from the car sector to capital goods and civil construction, the rate was reduced to 5% a year. "We work in tune with the BNDES, in the Productive Development Policy, but only in research, development and innovation. With such reduction in the rate for the financing of innovation, we take part in the anti-cyclical policy of the Government", said the president of the Finep, Luis Fernandes.