|
|
 |
|
 |
 |
06.20.06
»
BNDES introduces a Technological Fund for investments in promising areas
· Funtec will have R$ 153 million as equity and funds will come from BNDES profits
Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social [BNDES] approved the creation of a Technological Fund [Funtec], with non-reimbursable funds, destined to invest in areas considered as a technological frontier. Funtec will support projects in the following areas:
· renewable energy from biomass, mainly ethanol;
· software, semiconductors and biotechnological solutions directed to the designing of problems associated to Brazilian farming development; and
· drugs and inputs for neglected illnesses and pharmaceutical products obtained through advanced technology.
Funtec's main objective is to seek solutions for large technological problems in order to potentiate strategic fronts and remove obstacles to the Brazilian economic and social development. Holding R$ 153 million as equity, the new fund will have as beneficiaries the technological institutions and those supporting technological development, with the participation of enterprises. The three above described lines should use 70% of Funtec's available funds, which will come from BNDES profits.
Therefore, BNDES completed the last tripod vertex of its innovation supporting strategy. The two other operating fronts are the financing to enterprises presenting projects with processes considered innovative, in which Bndespar performs capital funding, and the two new lines, recently created, one for Research, Development and Innovation, bearing a fixed rate of 6% and zero basic spread, and another Innovation - Production, bearing Long-Term Interest Rate [TJLP] plus a spread up to 1.8%, which are included in the BNDES New Operating Policies. The lines differ from Funtec for financing the projects in any industrial, services or farming sector, while the new Fund will operate in specific areas.
Funtec supported programs will aim at covering gaps and accelerating the search of solutions to large problems already detected and recognized by research institutes and economic agents. In addition, the concentration of efforts with well-defined focus will allow BNDES to have a remarkable presence in areas or matters in which the Brazilian enterprises may play an important role or even lead in a global level.
Lastly, the solutions sought by Funtec should join efforts from Research Institutes and enterprises. BNDES financial support will be provided to nonprofit institutions directed to research and innovation. The supported projects should consider an effective introduction of market innovations. Presently, BNDES carries a portfolio of long-term projects, which may receive funds from Funtec, in a total amount of R$ 286 million.
 Back
to news
|
|
|
|
|
