For a long time, the Amazon has been observed from a distance, idealized as an untouched paradise or used as an argument in political and economic conflicts that ignore the people who live there. But there is a dynamic Amazon, entrepreneurial, technological, productive and deeply committed to the standing forest.
It is this true Amazon that came together during the 2nd edition of the Amazon Diálogos Conference, Friday (12/05), at the Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV), in São Paulo. Organized by the Center for Industry of the State of Amazonas (CIEAM), experts, business leaders, researchers and indigenous representatives discussed how to transform the legacy of COP30 into sustainable socio-economic development for Brazil and the world.
To give you an idea, recent studies from WRI Brazil and the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC) predict that the Amazon bioeconomy could generate 38.5 billion reais per year and up to 947,000 direct and indirect jobs by 2050, promoting sectors such as nuts, açaí, managed timber, fish farming and ecotourism.
At the opening of the event, Márcio Holland, from FGV, highlighted that COP30 opened one of the most decisive windows in history for the region, and that the challenge now is to transform the potential into concrete impact on the Amazon territory.
Next, Luiz Augusto Rocha, President of the CIEAM Council, argued that the Manaus Free Trade Zone is an essential element of modern Brazil. The model preserves 97% of the forest, creates jobs for more than 20 million people and is present in 98% of households in the country.
In fact, the sector expects to earn 240 billion reais in 2025, thus strengthening social inclusion and fighting the illegal economy.
“We need to recognize the infrastructure inequalities, the social inequalities, the inequalities that separate rich Brazil in the South and Southeast from poor Brazil in the North and Northeast. »
Luiz Augusto Rocha, President of the CIEAM Council
Next, Sérgio Oliveira, executive director of Abraciclo, highlighted that Manaus is home to the world’s largest motorcycle production center outside of Asia, with a focus on the expansion of e-bikes.
Closing the opening, Rildo Silva, president of the Union of the Electrical, Electronic and Similar Equipment Industry of the State of Amazonas (Sinaees-AM), highlighted that the region has already proven that it is possible to innovate, generate income and protect the forest at the same time.
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Amazon Dialogues aim to guide the formulation of new strategies for the region
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Luiz Augusto Rocha, President of the CIEAM Council
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Sérgio Oliveira, executive director of Abraciclo
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Rildo Silva, president of Sinaees-AM
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Márcio Holland, professor at FGV EESP and coordinator of the Amazon Dialogues
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Key innovations in the Amazon
In the first panel, Rebecca Garcia, director of GB Componentes Eletrônicos, argued that the benefits of the free zone benefit all of Brazil, replacing imports and generating jobs in several chains.
Tutiplast CEO Mariana Barrela presented research on bioplastics produced with Amazonian inputs, such as Brazil nut sea urchin and curauá fiber, with applications in the automotive, textile and consumer goods sectors. The projects involve 60 clients and 40 employees, with a socio-economic impact on the interior.
Jean Marc Hamon, industrial director of BIC Manaus, brought the results of a culture of innovation created over five years: 22 thousand ideas implemented and direct gains of 2.5% in productivity, with a permanent focus on sustainability and inclusion.
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Mariana Barrela, CEO of Tutiplast
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Rebecca Garcia, director of GB Componentes Eletrônicos
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Jean Marc Hamon, industrial director of BIC Manaus
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Logistics and financing for Amazonian competitiveness
Logistical challenges remain a bottleneck for regional development, as Marcello de Gregório, CEO of SuperTerminais, highlighted in the “Innovations and Entrepreneurship in the Amazon” panel.
He also announced investments of 40 million reais in technology aimed at reducing drainage costs, especially taking into account the 17.5 meter variation in river levels throughout the year.
BNDES Environmental Superintendent Nabil Moura Kadri detailed mechanisms to support impact and bioeconomy businesses, with credit lines indexed to the reference rate (TR) and a new partnership with MDIC and Sebrae to strengthen chains such as açaí and babassu, thus developing industrialization inside the Amazon.
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Nabil Moura Kadri, superintendent of the Environment Domain at BNDES
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Marcello de Gregório, CEO of SuperTerminais
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The legacy of COP30 for Brazil and the world
Moderated by Carla Sudré, LATAM Director at Umicore, the “COP30 Review” panel provided an overview of the achievements and priorities of COP30 for the years to come.
The Mobilization Coordinator of the COP30 Presidency, Luciana Abade, presented 29 agreements signed in Belém and 30 activation groups created to promote low-carbon solutions. “COP30 has taken the solutions agenda to another level. »
The director of the Amazonense Printing Company (Impram), Régia Moreira, highlighted that the Manaus Free Zone is a “land of opportunities”, responsible for boosting the state’s economy and ensuring the dignity of people living in the region.
According to her, Manaus depends directly on industry, there are more than 130 thousand direct jobs and almost 600 thousand indirect jobs that generate trade, services and local income.
The Régia also warned of the urgency of expanding access to infrastructure and sustainable solutions for solid waste, areas that are still poorly supported by public authorities. Asking for greater integration between governments and the productive sector, she reinforced: “The Amazon is a reservoir of opportunities. We just need Brazil to look at it with more information and less prejudice.
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Luciana Abade, general coordinator of mobilization of the COP30 presidency
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Régia Moreira, director of Imram and special correspondent of Amazonas Industry at COP30
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Carla Sudré, LATAM director at Umicore
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Territory, identity and climate justice
During the “Visions of the Amazon” panel, indigenous leader and director of the Witoto Institute, Vanda Witoto, was moved by emphasizing that there is no sustainability without the participation of indigenous peoples in decisions that affect the territory. She cited Parque das Tribos, the first indigenous neighborhood of Manaus, as an example of autonomy, reforestation and female protagonism.
Vanda Witoto, indigenous leader, environmental activist, educator and executive director of the Witoto Institute
Literature as memory and future of the region
The event ended with a cultural look at the Amazon. The historian and writer Etelvina Garcia has saved, in her works, the construction of the Free Trade Zone and the importance of preserving this memory to consolidate regional development.
Then, Silvana Aquino, senior HR manager at Visteon and co-author of “The role of HR in ESG practices”, showed how the Mura ancestry, traditional people of the region, inspires more human, inclusive and connected management of the territory.
Etelvina Garcia and Silvana Aquino
In summary of the meeting, one certainty was consolidated: those who live in the Amazon want and must be protagonists in decisions on this subject. Sustainable development is already a reality there, every day, thanks to science, technology, culture and the creation of opportunities that keep the forest alive.
Today, post-COP30 opens a new phase, less myths, more reality; less talking, more listening; less distance, more connection with Brazil.
The Amazon does not want to be a stage. This is meant to be a strategy. This is about economics. I want to be future. And she showed, in a firm and multiple voice, that she was ready for it.
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