Industry applauds the return of BNDES to invest in innovation and sustainability.

247 - BNDESPar's decision to resume investments in equity focused on innovation and sustainability has received broad support from representatives of Brazilian industry. After nearly a decade of contraction, the BNDES's investment subsidiary is returning to strategic operations, promising to invest up to R$ 10 billion in companies focused on ecological transition, decarbonization, and technological development. The announcement was made on June 23rd, during the bank's 73rd anniversary celebrations, according to its press office.

For the FarmaBrasil Group, which represents 12 of the leading Brazilian-owned pharmaceutical companies, the measure represents a decisive boost to expanding national drug production. “BNDESPar's decision to reallocate resources, divesting from already established companies to focus on innovation-oriented businesses, is extremely welcome,” stated the group's CEO, Reginaldo Arcuri. “The pharmaceutical industry is the one that invests the most in innovation among all industrial sectors. The sector sees this measure as an important boost to achieving the objectives of Mission 2 of the New Industry Brazil initiative, which foresees the country producing 70% of its drug needs by 2033,” he added.

Currently, companies associated with FarmaBrasil have already accessed R$ 3,5 billion in financing from BNDES. The national pharmaceutical industry accounts for approximately 50% of the medicines consumed in the country, and this figure rises to 75% when it comes to products acquired by the Unified Health System (SUS).

The National Confederation of Industry (CNI) also expressed support for the new investment cycle, highlighting its strategic role in a scenario of macroeconomic challenges and fierce global competition. According to the organization, the announced investments—divided between R$ 5 billion in direct investments until December 2025 and R$ 5 billion through funds—have the potential to boost the venture capital market and mitigate the impacts of the industrial slowdown in the country. Data from IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) indicate that the GDP of the industry fell by 0,1% in the first quarter of 2025, while agriculture grew by 12,2% and services by 0,3%.

“The resumption of BNDES disbursements follows a global trend in which direct public investment is used as a tool to overcome major socioeconomic challenges,” highlights a technical note from the bank's Industrial Policy Management. The institution also emphasizes that public investments in equity participations tend to attract private resources for higher-risk projects, such as technological innovations.

P&D Brasil — the Brazilian Association of Companies for National Technological Development and Innovation — also celebrated BNDESPar's new positioning, classifying it as a decisive action to strengthen national industry and technological sovereignty. In a statement signed by its executive president, Rosilda Prates, the entity affirms: “We are confident that with the resumption of BNDESPar investments, Brazil will reach new levels of industrial competitiveness.”

P&D Brasil also highlighted that the planned resources will be allocated to companies with projects focused on energy transition and innovation, and that the association is already mobilizing its 40 members to build a joint agenda with the bank. With annual revenue of R$ 94 billion and 76 direct jobs, the association's member companies invest, on average, 15% of their incentivized revenue in research, development, and innovation.

BNDESPar's new investment plan is anchored in five strategic areas: Green Agenda, Partnerships, Public and Private Offerings, and Proprietary Allocation. The initiative also includes the "Climate Call," which will be launched during COP 30 in Brazil, focusing on climate transition and nature-based solutions. The expectation is that the bank's resources can leverage up to an additional R$ 15 billion from private investors.

By repositioning BNDESPar as an active agent in promoting the green economy and innovation, the federal government reinforces its commitment to the objectives of the New Industry Brazil (NIB), an industrial policy launched in January. The president of BNDES, Aloizio Mercadante, stated that the new cycle is a response to the demobilization of recent years. "We have a new strategic positioning, which seeks to invest in the green economy and innovation in companies of all sizes."

With this move, BNDES signals that it is once again fulfilling its role as a driver of productive development, promoting technological modernization, generating skilled jobs, and strengthening national production chains. The industry, in turn, responds with applause and expectations of new virtuous cycles of investment and innovation.