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1. Location Its transportation infrastructure is distinguished by the extension of
its highway system (264,898 km of roads, of which 19,266 km are paved)
and for containing one fifth of the nation's rail system. It is also strategically
distinguished by the four main highway axes that connect Belo Horizonte
to São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Vitória and Central-West region,
going through the Triângulo Mineiro. And, still, by the two large
rail corridors that unite Minas to the port complexes of Vitória
and Rio de Janeiro, both of which are connected to the Greater Belo Horizonte
area, with the north and west of the State. 2. Logistic/Infrastructure New investments require diversified and competitive infrastructure. Minas Gerais is well supplied with these resources and is strategically located in the heart of the largest Brazilian consumer market. The State has the main highway and railroad intersections in the Country. Its logistics allow quick access to domestic and international markets; the State already has five customs stations in the interior of the State and at Confins International Airport, located in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte. There are also several other airports with paved runways in the State.
The economically active population (EAP) in the State of Minas Gerais reached 8,894,795 people in 1999. In that same year, the working population was 8,122,460, employed in the following sectors: 29% in farming/livestock raising, 20% in industrial activities and 51% in services in general. The State of Minas Gerais is aware of the challenges imposed by the economic
liberalization and globalization of markets. It has made it a priority
to qualify and re-qualify the human resources at all educational levels. Among the vocational courses offered by institutions established in the State of Minas Gerais, the following areas can be pointed out: jewelry, mechanics/machining, graphics, project design, design, IT, electronics/electrician, mining, industrial automation, welding, car making, boiler making, furniture manufacture, clothing, textiles, tooling, instrumentation, foods, foundry, telecommunications, transportation, transit, healthcare equipment, transportation systems and segments of tourism. Some of the main schools, specialized in the training of industrial vocations
are: SENAI (www.senai.br)
CEFET (www.cefetmg.br) CETEC (www.cetec.br)
and INATEL (www.inatel.br). The federal universities located in Minas Gerais territory are: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (www.ufmg.br), Universidade Federal de Lavras (www.ufla.br), Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (www.ufu.br) Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto (www.ufop.br) Universidade Federal de Viçosa (www.ufv.br) and Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (www.ufjf.br). Besides these, the State has an educational system for higher learning composed of eight private universities, two state-run universities and 112 separate faculties (108 private schools, one municipal and three belonging to the State government). Within this group, the following are of note: Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais (www.uemg.br), Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (www.unimontes.br), and Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (www.pucminas.br). Minas Gerais has a grand total of 890 higher education courses that graduate a wide variety of specialties in human knowledge, such as: Engineering (Environmental, Civil, Electrical, Electronic, Aeronautical, Chemical, Nuclear, Agronomy, Architectural, Mining), Administration, Economy, Accounting, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Tourism, Biology, Dentristry, Medicine, Veterinary, Physics, Mathematics, Letters, Literature, Geography, History, etc.
The Government of Minas Gerais maintains an agile and efficient institutional staff, specialized in giving assistance to businessmen who wish to implant or expand their activities in the State. Besides INDI, the State Secretariat of Industry and Commerce (SEIC), the Development Bank of Minas Gerais (BDMG) and the Industrial Districts Company of Minas Gerais (CDI) integrate this support structure. INDI articulates with all these governmental entities, making a bridge and cutting red tape when the issue is the making new businesses a reality in Minas. State Secretariat of Industry and Commerce The SEIC's purpose is to plan and control promotion and give incentive to activities for industrial and commercial development in Minas Gerais. In search of expansion and diversification of the industrial park, it participates in the formulation and execution of industrial and commercial policy, integrates projects and programs that make the economic use of productive resources possible and gives incentives to industry to use natural resources. Additionally, it contributes to the increase of savings in the productive sector through programs that encourage the expansion of private activity. It is always available for contacts with national and foreign investors. Development Bank of Minas Gerais The BDMG is part of the National Economic and Social Development Bank
system (BNDES); it is the largest state development bank in the country.
Its objective is to promote the economic development of the State, through
technical and financial assistance to the industrial, agricultural, and
commercial and services sectors. The BDMG performs the following operations,
among others: Industrial Districts Company of Minas Gerais The CDI-MG is a company dedicated to planning areas and industrial districts
in Minas Gerais, supplying them with infrastructure, and commercializing
them for the installation of companies. At present the CDI-MG has 46 industrial
districts distributed over several municipalities throughout the State,
with more than 1,500 projects in operation or implantation. João Pinheiro Foundation The João Pinheiro Foundation is an organ that renders technical services, oriented prioritarily towards economic and social development in Minas Gerais. On a contract basis, the institution attends to agreements and demands from international agencies, ministries, state governments, federal and state public agencies, as well as municipalities, private companies and civil entities. The organ is officially responsible for the generation and divulging of basic statistics and economic and financial, demographic and social indicators. Furthermore, it carries on specialized technical learning programs, and has been transformed into one of the main training centers of public administration in Latin America. The FJP offers courses on a graduate level, specialization, post-graduate and managerial training, conducts applied research projects and renders consulting and human resource development services, as well as acting as technical support to the government's operational systems. The Foundation is part of the Planning System of Minas Gerais, and is organized in six end activities: The Government School (EG), Statistical and Information Center (CEI), Administrative Development Center (CDA), Historical and Cultural Studies Center (CEHC), Municipal and Metropolitan Center (CEMME) and the Economic and Social Studies Center (CEES). Contacts with the João Pinheiro Foundation may be made on telephones +55(31)3448-9706 and 3448-9579, fax +55(31)3448-9699 and by e-mail www.fjp.gov.br. ( www.fjp.gov.br ) Technological Center of Minas Gerais- CETEC The Minas Gerais Technological Center Foundation (CETEC) is a generator and promotional agency for technology, also oriented to fill demand related to development of research and technological services projects, among which, testing and analysis, issuance of opinions and technical certificates. The Company furthermore contributes to the formulation and implementation of governmental policies and serves as consultant, especially with respect to professional capabilities in private enterprise. As one of the best equipped research centers in the Country, it acts prioritarily in the segments of Food, Automotive Technology, Materials, Environment, Industrial Quality and Information Technology, working, through partnerships with companies, universities and other research centers. The commitment to industrial quality permeates the work developed by Cetec, allowing its clients to fulfill requirements contained in international norms, such as ISO 9000 and 14000. Contacts with Cetec can be made by phones +55(31) 3489-2000, fax +55(31) 3489-2200 and by e-mail www.cetec.gov.br. ( www.cetec.gov.br )
The Government of Minas Gerais maintains financial support programs to businesspersons established in or wishing to invest in the State. Read below to learn about these incentives: PRO-INDÚSTRIA - Program for Integration and Industrial and Agricultural Diversification PROIM - Program for Induction to Industrial Modernization PROE-INDÚSTRIA - Program of Support to the Implantation of Strategic Industrial Enterprises. PROE-ESTRUTURAÇÃO - Program for Commercial Structuring of Strategic Industrial Enterprises PROE-ELETRÔNICA - Program for Support to Electronics, IT and Telecommunications Companies. PROE-AGROINDÚSTRIA - Program for Support of Implantation of Strategic Agri-industries ADENE - Northeast Developmental Agency. 6. Main sectors 7. Belo Horizonte, The capital of Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte is the capital of the state of Minas Gerais and has approximately 2.1 million inhabitants. It was chosen as the city with the best quality of life in Latin America by the Population Crisis Committee, an organ of the UN and was also ranked 45th among the top 100 of the world. It was recently awarded the certificate of "Model City on Environment Field". The city is strategically located in the southeast region and has a privileged position in relation to the country and the Americas. The slopes of Serra do Curral, a mountain range, naturally surround it and are considered a geographical and historical landmark. It's acknowledged for its mild and pleasant weather all year round, which includes a dry winter and a rainy summer, with an average annual temperature of 21oC. The city offers easy access via highways and airports, and stands out for its architecture, strong vocation for trade and service rendering as well as intense cultural artistic production. Being 101 years old, Belo Horizonte is a combination of tradition and modernity. Chosen to be the new capital of the state in substitution to Ouro Preto, it was the first planned city of Brazil. It's a dynamic capital and has attracted a growing number of investments. Well-known as medical excellence, biological and computer technology center, many important national and international events are held in the city. The visitors to the city must see the Pampulha and the Liberdade architectural and landscaping complexes, the Mangabeiras Park, the museums and churches, cafes, bars and restaurants that make the city's nightlife the most unique experience. Departing from Belo Horizonte you can also tour through the wealth and opulence of Minas Gerais State. Go to web site: http://www.pbh.gov.br/belotur/ingles/cidade/h-cid.htm and learn more about Belo Horizonte, this fantastic city! |
The
State of Minas Gerais is located in the southeastern region of Brazil,
the country most developed area. Belo Horizonte is the capital of the
state. In this region, 43% of the population is concentrated, around 60%
of the GDP and the most significant parcel of the Brazilian consumer market.
4.
Development agencies 
