BRDE finances R$ 1,2 billion for cooperatives in Paraná.
The funds were invested over the last three years; "Cooperatives have been great partners for the economic and social development of Paraná, because they generate wealth and income for the people of Paraná and many job opportunities," stated Governor Beto Richa.
State Government - The Paraná branch of the Southern Regional Development Bank (BRDE) has financed over R$ 1,2 billion for cooperatives in Paraná in the last three years. This year alone, the amount financed for the sector will exceed R$ 600 million. Participating in the opening of the Paraná State Meeting of Cooperatives, the governor highlighted the bank's performance as one of the main forms of support from the state government to the sector. Approximately 1.500 people attended the event.
Richa stated that BRDE is one of the arms of state investments and that the loans represent the government's confidence and support for the sector. "Cooperatives have been great partners for the economic and social development of Paraná, because they generate wealth and income for the people of Paraná and many job opportunities," said Beto Richa.
“BRDE finances cooperatives so that they can further expand their activities. We are proud to see the growth of Paraná's cooperatives, a sector that still has a lot of potential and that our government has decisively supported in all aspects,” he said, alongside the president of the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB), Márcio Lopes de Freitas; the president of Ocepar, João Paulo Koslovski; the state secretary of Agriculture, Norberto Ortigara; and the president of BRDE, Jorge Gomes Rosa Filho.
Richa said that the cooperative movement in Paraná is a benchmark for Brazil, due to its ease of renewal and updating, with the wisdom to reconcile new technologies and new industrial, commercial and operational practices with the experience of older generations.
The governor also highlighted other areas of support for the sector, such as investments in road improvement projects for paved and rural roads, technical assistance from professionals at the State Department of Agriculture, and the expansion of the export capacity of the Port of Paranaguá, which reduces costs and makes Paraná's products more competitive.
“It is a directive from the governor himself to support our cooperatives with financing, and we can only be grateful,” stated João Paulo Koslovski, president of the Ocepar System, which is promoting the meeting. “The relationship between the cooperatives and the state government has strengthened in recent years, contributing to great achievements for the sector,” said Koslovski. He highlighted the paving program and the Rural Patrols, which repair rural roads, considered by the cooperatives to be one of the logistical bottlenecks.
MICRO-ENTERPRISE LAW – João Paulo Koslovski also highlighted the creation of the state law for Micro and Small Enterprises, sanctioned by Governor Beto Richa in October. According to him, the law directly benefits the sector, as most producers are classified as small-sized. “It plays a prominent role in cooperativism, as it brings advantages to our members,” he said. With the law, micro and small enterprises now have access to a series of benefits that encourage entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainability in the formal market.
COOPERATIVISM – The revenue of cooperatives in Paraná in 2013 is expected to reach R$ 43 billion, a 12% increase compared to last year (R$ 38,5 billion). This figure represents almost 20% of the projected revenue for the sector in the country, which will be approximately R$ 210 billion, according to the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB).
According to the president of the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB), Márcio Lopes de Freitas, the result represents the strength of the sector in Paraná. “It reflects the greatness, the strengthening, and especially the professionalization of cooperativism here in Paraná. The cooperatives here have a very strong presence and are a source of pride not only for Paraná but for all of Brazil.”
The Secretary of State for Agriculture and Supply, Norberto Ortigara, believes that the cooperative movement in Paraná has a different form of organization that has worked well. "Here, our cooperatives, whatever the sector, have grown and are constantly reinventing themselves. It's a sector that has been successful, and without them, Paraná would face many difficulties," stated the Secretary.
In Paraná, cooperatives are responsible for approximately 56% of the agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The sector generates more than 1,6 million jobs and collects around R$ 1,6 billion in taxes annually.
OCEPAR – The Ocepar System encompasses 236 registered cooperatives operating in ten different sectors (agriculture, credit, consumer goods, housing, education, infrastructure, health, labor, transportation, tourism, and leisure). The organization has over one million members.
Held annually since 1992, the Paraná State Cooperative Meeting is promoted by the Ocepar System during this time of year to celebrate achievements and plan for the coming year. Approximately 1.500 people participated in the event, which featured a program of lectures and artistic performances.
The ceremony was attended by State Secretaries Reinhold Stephanes (Chief of Staff), Fernanda Richa (Family and Social Development); the president of Codapar, Tino Staniszewski; the Chief of Staff, Gleisi Hoffmann; Senator Sérgio Souza; federal and state deputies; the board of directors of the Ocepar System; and other authorities.