Defense investments in Brazil will generate 130,000 jobs by 2030, says minister at public hearing in Chamber of Deputies
On Wednesday (17), the Minister of Defense, José Mucio Monteiro, took part in a public hearing at the Chamber of Deputies, in Brasília (DF), at the invitation of the Committee on Foreign Relations and National Defense (Credn). The participation was at the request of Federal Deputies Lucas Redecker (PSDB/RS) and José Francisco Lopes de Albuquerque (Republicans/RR). On the occasion, the minister took stock of his portfolio’s main actions and deliveries, as well as talking about challenges, prospects and opportunities for the future. The commanders of the Navy, Army and Air Force also took part.
According to José Mucio, one of the portfolio’s challenges is the need for greater investment in the sector and budget regularity. “The member countries of NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] stipulate a budget that allows them to conduct their military programs with 2% of GDP as investment in defense. Our investment is only 1.1% of GDP, while the world average is 2.3%.” Still according to him, the Federal Government recognizes the importance of the sector and “has included in the new PAC the forecast of significant amounts for investment in Defence, in the order of R$52.8 billion, which will make it possible to generate 130,000 jobs by the end of 2030”.
The minister gave a presentation of the activities, deliveries and good practices that marked the year 2023, his first year at the head of the Ministry of Defense. “We provided aid to the population in the face of natural disasters, led the repatriation of Brazilians who were at risk abroad and worked tirelessly to promote and increase the Defense Industrial Base, such an important sector for maintaining strategic projects and for the national economy,” he said. For the head of the portfolio, investing in Defense goes beyond actions to guarantee sovereignty. It involves social attention, scientific and technological development and stimulating the country’s growth.
Based on the balance sheet presented, there are currently 237 defense and strategic defense companies. The entire national defense industrial park represents 4.78% of GDP and generates 2.9 million direct and indirect jobs. “Brazil is the largest exporter of defense products in South America. In 2023, authorized exports were US$1.4 billion, about 125% more than in 2022, the second best position since we started this historical series. We expect to double these results in 2024,” he added.
Committee on Foreign Affairs and National Defense – The CREDN is one of the 30 permanent committees of the Chamber of Deputies. In each committee, the aim is for deputies to be able to debate and vote on legislative proposals related to their respective themes. The Minister of Defense’s participation is in response to requests from deputies Paulo Alexandre Barbosa (PSDB-SP), Marcel van Hattem (Novo-RS) and Luiz Philippe de Orleans e Bragança (PL-SP).
By Ascom – Photos: Érico Alv *** Translated by DEFCONPress FYI Team ***