Zema's economist backs Petrobras split, fiscal shock in business tour

Carlos da Costa, the coordinator of Romeu Zema's economic program, is actively promoting the pre-candidate's proposals to business organizations. He advocates for a significant fiscal shock, equivalent to 2% of GDP, combined with the privatization of Petrobras and Banco do Brasil, as a strategy to rapidly reduce interest rates to 6%. Costa, formerly the Secretary of Productivity under Paulo Guedes, is also focusing on the debt burden faced by businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. He supports an emergency version of the Pronampe program to help viable companies struggling with debt. Regarding Petrobras, Zema's plan involves privatizing the state-controlled oil giant by breaking it into smaller entities, with new owners committed to expanding refining capacity. Additionally, Costa is gathering input to refine the ongoing tax reform, aiming to simplify the tax system and alleviate pressure on company finances. He believes these measures are crucial for economic recovery and stability.