This event was carried out the event in Rio de Janeiro with the theme “projecting sustainable municipalities” which had the participation of representatives from over 50 municipalities of various states of the country.

“An optimum opportunity to be able to finance projects throughout Brazil” this is the way in which Juan Notaro, president of FONPLATA – Development Bank qualified the first edition of “FONPLATA Mayor´s Forum: Projecting Sustainable Municipalities”, which was carried out Thursday 8th of  August in Rio de Janeiro. The event which gathered representatives from over 50 municipalities, highlighting the best practices, and the principal tendencies in urban and territorial sustainable development. Besides Brazil, FONPLATA also works in Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay and has already invested over US$ 1700 million financing small and midsize projects in the region.

This initiative had the participation of the executive directors of various cities and with diverse representatives from different states of the federal government and special guests. The proposal of the forum is to be a meeting point between mayors with the intention of being able to debate actions that are aimed at new forms of development with high impact in their municipalities, locally and regionally.

FONPLATA´s growth allows it  to work in all regions, and not only those in the area of influence of the River Plate basin (Cuenca del Plata)  which opens up an enormous opportunity to be able to finance projects throughout Brazil” affirmed  Juan Notaro. The River plate basin is the second largest Hydro graphical River basin in Brazil, with 1,397,905 km2 and that extends through Brazil, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina.

Mayors talk about the importance of this meeting

Infrastructure, urban mobility, circular economy, renewable energy, sustainable tourism and governance are some of the principal challenges that are faced by the participating municipalities and that were highlighted in the event. Amongst the authorities that were present there was  Jose Sarney Jr, environmental Secretariat of the federal district. The forum, which was carried out in FIRJAN, in downtown Rio was an opportunity so he could share his expectations.

“The federal district hosts the highest instances of the three powers. All of this gives is visibility and increases the weight of responsibility socially and economically within our territory. FONPLATA, which is a multilateral development back is a fundamental instrument for the countries of which it is comprised” highlights the politician.

On this occasion the municipal leaders were able to have the support of local international specialists who shared their reflections and advances for new forms of development. The form was divided into three modular themes: “urban development and sustainability” “procedures for obtaining external resources” and “financial needs and challenges”. FONPLATA has already financed projects with focus on vulnerable urban areas, rural areas and frontier regions, with the purpose of promoting the integration between countries and between regions within the same country.

Rio de Janeiro´s representative Marcelo Crivella participated in one of the debate tables along with the municipal Secretariat in charge of finances, Cesar Barbiero. At this opportunity, he commented, how he is innovating the fiscal administration in the municipality in order to be able to clear up the public accounts and he congratulated FONPLATA’s initiative.

“It is an immense pleasure to be able to receive the first edition of FONPLATA’s forum for mayors in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro is very sought out for tourism which is the natural vocation of the city. Over 90% of all tourists have an interest in returning. It is important to also highlight the reduction of crime in the city, which is the result of agreements with the state government. We are about to turn the city into an intelligent city. We want to be at the leading edge of these initiatives” affirmed the person in charge of financial affairs of the municipality of Rio.

Experience with FONPLATA

Another person who also participated of the event was the mayor of Joinville, Santa Catarina Udo Döhler. He spoke about the project that he has with FONPLATA and the challenges that he is facing for their execution. In order to be able to obtain positive results that the municipality has today he remembers the challenges.

“The city was walking towards being out of step in the area of public services. We perceived that it was necessary to build the capacity of payment and access to financing. In 6 and a half years  we tripled  the value of credit operations  that were carried out and we were benefited by over US$40 million dollars by FONPLATA. The operations throughout the six years and a half years allowed us to take advantage of the revenues.

Udfo Dohler also highlighted that the human development index HDI in health is one of the best in the country.

“The investment in innovation is part of our DNA. Our objective for the next 15 years is to become leaders in innovation in Latin America. The economy in Joinville should triple in this new generation. Besides the emergency investments in health and education will now have a focus on mobility. One of the plans is a bridge that unites the city with other points such as the Joinville airport” he advanced.

Before the closure of the FONPLATA mayor’s forum, representatives gathered for the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the development Bank of Minas Gerais and FONPLATA for cooperation and approximation of the participating municipalities. An association that will benefit various regions in the country.

08/08/2019