[nettime-lat] Brasil baixa impostos relativos a producao tecnologica

[Ana Viseu <ana.viseu@utoronto.ca>]

[Este artigo saiu na Wired News e esta em ingles. Nao tive tempo de 
traduzi-lo mas parece-me importante para todos os Brasileiros que 
subscrevem esta lista. Gostaria de saber que pensam os membros da lista 
relativamente a esta iniciativa de baixar os impostos relativos ao 
desenvolvimento tecnologico como forma de atrair mais companhias, aumentar 
a producao tecnologica e, teoricamente, aumentar o uso de tecnologia. 
Cumprimentos. Ana]


http://www.wired.com/news/print/0,1294,41060,00.html
by Paulo Rebêlo
2001, Jan. 9

Brazil May Slash Computer Taxes

RECIFE, Brazil -- In an attempt to bridge the country's digital divide, the 
Brazilian Congress last week approved a bill that would ease the tax burden 
of technology companies so they could sell their products at a lower cost.

Backers of the bill say more people could afford to buy the technology, 
thus accelerating the drive to modernize the country. In addition, 
technology companies must donate 5 percent of their profits to public 
universities.

President Fernando Henrique Cardoso has until Jan. 20 to sign into law "A 
Lei Informatica" -- the "Computer Law" -- which gives computer hardware, 
software and cell phone manufacturers a 95 percent discount on the 
industrialized products (IPI) tax to produce their goods.

"Without the IPI exemption, the industry will have to incorporate the tax 
to the product's final price, which would imply a higher cost to 
consumers," said Carlos Salgado, a director at Compaq in Brazil.

However, not all Brazilians praised the Congress' action. Officials in the 
northern Amazonas region reportedly have plans to take São Paulo to the 
Supreme Court out of fear that the new law would lure away Amazonas' 
technology businesses.

The Amazonas state is the home of the Amazon.

Before the introduction of the computer law, only the Amazonas capital 
Manaus was entitled to lower taxes and reduced costs for production. 
Because of the special treatment, its economy has benefited from a healthy 
dose of technology companies.

Manaus officials worry companies will relocate to the more populous and 
bustling São Paulo.

"Companies won't come to Brazil if São Paulo is not a beneficiary state," 
said José Aníbal, science and technology secretary for the state of São 
Paulo. "It has the best location and human resources in the country."

But the Amazonas region would still tout special treatment other states 
wouldn't receive under the computer Law. Companies in Manaus would receive 
a 97 percent discount on the IPI tax in 2002, with the discount gradually 
reduced and eventually eliminated in 2013. Companies in all other regions 
would receive a 95 percent discount, which would be gradually reduced and 
eventually eliminated in 2009.

"The region will keep total exemption of taxes in 2001, while the southern 
regions will have only a gradual reduction," said Amazonas Sen. Paulo Souto.

But most officials agree: The time is right for the government to address 
the issue that the average Brazilian cannot afford to own a computer. In a 
country where the minimum wage is equivalent to $90 a month, a Compaq 
computer, for example, goes for $1,500.

Brazilian students are also expected to benefit from the law, since 
technology companies are mandated to give 5 percent of their profits to 
public universities.


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