Paulo Bernardo: "Didn't I tell you that a tablet would cost less than R$ 700?"
In a meeting with Brasil 247, the Minister of Communications celebrates the reduction in tablet prices, praises the "Fair Price" movement, and will receive the petition, which is already approaching 600 signatures.
Leonardo Attuch_247 – Brasília, the heart of power and center of national decisions, is also a village. A place where it's possible to bump into ministers and authorities on street corners – oops, Brasília doesn't have street corners. Well, but it's possible to find important people in some good restaurants. During FHC's eight years in office, Piantella was the meeting point for members of the PSDB and PFL parties. In Lula's era, some more popular restaurants were adopted by PT members, such as Feijão Verde. Today, a place that is beginning to establish itself as a spot for good food and good meetings is Don Durica. And it was there that Brasil 247 crossed paths with the Minister of Communications, Paulo Bernardo. The same one who, in March, granted us an important interview (access here). "I no longer read newspapers in print."), in which he advocated for a reduction in tablet prices.
Friendly as always, Bernardo celebrated the price reduction of these devices. “Didn’t I tell you that a tablet had to cost less than R$ 700?”, he asked. He was referring to a campaign by two telephone operators – Vivo and Claro – which, this week, were advertising the Galaxy Tab at a subsidized price. We simply reminded him that the prices are low because the operators tie their customers to one-year contracts. “But it will fall much more,” the minister assured us. “There are at least 12 companies wanting to come and produce tablets in Brazil.” He predicts that the product will be the big hit of the second half of the year – especially at Christmas.
Just over a week ago, the government eliminated taxes such as PIS and Cofins on tablets produced in Brazil. This was one of the causes championed by the Preço Justo (Fair Price) movement (visit www.precojustoja.com.br), launched by Brasil 247 and columnist Felipe Neto, which is approaching 600 signatures. "We've already done what you asked," said the minister, who offered to receive the signatures in his office in Brasília.
Paulo Bernardo only avoids the subject when it comes to the Civil House. He doesn't say a word about it. He goes up to the upper floor of the Don Durica Hotel, where authorities are shielded from journalists' harassment. In any case, he has been frequently mentioned as a strong contender to replace Antonio Palocci.