Petrobras summons machine industry
Valor Econômico
Yesterday the CEO of Petrobras, José Sergio Gabrielli, met representatives of the capital goods industry to present the potential demand of the company for equipment for the exploration of the pre-salt fields. According to the directors of the Brazilian Machinery Manufacturers Association (Abimaq), during the meeting it became clear Petrobras will not give up on the price to the benefit of the Brazilian producers, but it considers the development of the local industry to meet its needs very important.
During the meeting, according to José Velloso, vice-president of the Abimaq, both the representatives of the producers of capital goods and Petrobras agreed foreign investments will be necessary for the formation of a competitive industry in the country. The estimate Petrobras provided the producers for the beginning of the orders of equipment for the exploration of the pre-salt layer is of two to three years, with forecast of deliveries starting as of 2014. That is, this would be the ideal time for the Brazilian producers to get ready for the State company's demand.
Luiz Aubert Neto, president of the Abimaq, also informed the entity will seek a special financing line in the National Development Bank (BNDES) to support this segment of the capital goods industry. "These fields (pre-salt) will last more than 30 years. Due to that it is necessary to qualify and invest in the national industry for the short, medium and long terms", he said.