Support for Development: BNDES Injects R$ 150 Million in Working Capital to Strengthen Companies in Rio Grande do Sul and Accelerate the Economic and Social Recovery of the State
The National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) announced the release of an additional R$ 150 million in credit for working capital aimed at four companies in Rio Grande do Sul.
This measure is part of BNDES’s emergency program, which has already reached R$ 6.8 billion in working capital distributed across 2,905 operations in the last two months.
The objective is to support businesses in Rio Grande do Sul affected by natural disasters, such as the recent floods, and assist in the resumption of local economic activities.
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One of the companies benefiting from this new round of credit is Hospital Mãe de Deus in Porto Alegre, which received R$ 80 million. The health institution went through a difficult period, remaining inactive for 45 days between May and June. The hospital, which exclusively serves patients with health insurance and private clients, suffered a complete evacuation, needing to transfer its patients to other facilities.

In addition, there were significant losses in machinery and damage to the physical structure. The working capital provided by BNDES will be essential for the resumption of operations and the restructuring of the unit, considered of medium and high complexity and one of the most important in the capital of Rio Grande do Sul.
Another company that received approval for credit was Ferramentas Gedore, which requested R$ 30 million. The factory, located in São Leopoldo, was severely affected by the floods, interrupting operations from May 3 to June 25. This period of stoppage resulted in equipment loss and damage to the company’s structure, directly impacting production. The amount released by BNDES will help the company recover and reestablish its operating pace.
Epavi Vigilância, specialized in property security and management of outsourced services, is also among the companies benefiting, receiving R$ 20 million in working capital. Its facilities in Canoas were seriously damaged by the floods, preventing around 700 employees from working during May. Nevertheless, the company ensured full payment of salaries. With the released credit, Epavi expects to restore its normal operations and repair the damaged physical structures.
The company Frumar Frutos do Mar was another to receive financial support from BNDES, also in the amount of R$ 20 million. The company’s units, located within Ceasa in Porto Alegre and in São Leopoldo, were flooded, severely affecting the distribution of seafood to clients. The operation in São Leopoldo was halted for 35 days, while the one in Porto Alegre remained closed for 45 days. With the released credit, Frumar aims to recover its distribution capacity and normalize the supply of its products.
Mercadante Discussed the Release of Credit by BNDES
The president of BNDES, Aloizio Mercadante, emphasized the speed with which the bank has acted in Rio Grande do Sul, prioritizing support for companies and producers affected by floods. According to Mercadante, BNDES has already mobilized R$ 12.8 billion to support companies in the state impacted by extreme rainfall, benefiting 445 of the 497 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul in over 34,000 operations. The focus has been primarily on small and medium enterprises, ensuring they have the resources needed to overcome the difficulties caused by the weather events.
The Minister of Reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul, Paulo Pimenta, highlighted the importance of BNDES in the resumption of the state’s economic growth. According to him, recent figures from the economy of Rio Grande do Sul are already starting to reflect the positive effects of the bank’s financial support, which has established itself as an essential partner for local entrepreneurs.
In addition to the R$ 6.8 billion released for working capital, BNDES also approved R$ 1.3 billion for the purchase of machinery and equipment, and another R$ 206 million for investments and reconstruction. The suspension of debt payments has already reached R$ 3.1 billion in 50,400 operations, while guarantees total R$ 2.4 billion distributed across 2,882 operations.

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