Pará highlights economic vocations at the 21st edition of the Americas Competitiveness Exchange
The event brings together representatives from governments and companies across the Americas aiming to boost economic development and identify projects, investment opportunities, and best practices
Belém is hosting the 21st edition of the Americas Competitiveness Exchange (ACE) until next Friday (29), with the central theme "Innovation for environmental preservation and social development." Promoted by the Organization of American States (OAS), the event was officially opened this Monday (25), gathering representatives from governments and companies across the Americas to boost economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurship, as well as to identify projects, investment opportunities, and best practices.
The Government of Pará, through the State Secretariat for Economic Development, Mining and Energy (Sedeme), is participating in the official program. The head of Sedeme, Paulo Bengtson, was part of the opening panel "Brazil and Pará: economic panorama and perspectives," alongside Julia Braga, Undersecretary for Macroeconomic Monitoring and Trade Policies of the Ministry of Finance, and Camille Bemerguy, Deputy Secretary of Bioeconomy of the State Secretariat for Environment, Climate and Sustainability (Semas).
Paulo Bengtson highlighted Pará's strategic role in the national economy, with strong performance in the mineral, energy, and industrial sectors. He emphasized that Pará is the second-largest mineral producer in Brazil, with an estimated production of 302.9 million tons in 2024. "Mineral products represent 70.5% of Pará's exports, with highlights on productive chains such as aluminum, copper, iron and steel, manganese, nickel, gold, and tin," he informed.
The secretary also emphasized the broad business opportunities in agriculture, industry, and mining. "We are the second-largest iron producer in the country and have a strategic logistics infrastructure that facilitates the flow of production. Currently, mineral production accounts for 31% of the State's Gross Domestic Product (GDP)," he added.
Energy - Pará's prominence as an energy and productive powerhouse in the Amazon was highlighted by Paulo Bengtson. According to him, the state houses the two largest 100% Brazilian hydropower plants — Tucuruí and Belo Monte — which together total 19,535 MW (megawatts) of installed capacity, supplying various regions of Brazil. Another notable project is the distribution of natural gas, led by the Companhia Gás do Pará. LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) is transported by ships to the Port of Vila do Conde, in Barcarena, in the Metropolitan Region of Belém.
The secretary also emphasized the Government of Pará's commitment to an environmentally sustainable development model. To this end, the state has been adopting measures that strengthen the productive chains of socio-biodiversity, promoting income generation alongside environmental preservation.
In this context, the head of Sedeme presented the tax incentives granted by the State of Pará within the scope of public policies. According to him, the incentives not only strengthen the competitiveness of local companies but also promote the verticalization of industrial production and foster economic growth in a responsible and sustainable manner. All of this is in line with the guidelines of the global climate agenda and with the state's commitment to promote a balanced, inclusive, and environmentally responsible development model.
Environmental Conference - Ambassador Unaldo Vieira de Souza, coordinator of International Relations of Pará in Brasília (DF), highlighted the importance of the moment, especially in light of the expectation for the COP30 (world conference on climate change), which will take place in Belém next November.
With over four centuries of history, Belém is preparing to host this milestone in the global fight against the climate crisis, in the face of increasingly urgent and visible environmental challenges.
The ambassador emphasized the strategic role of the event as a space for debate on the economic potential of the region. The 21st edition of the ACE is set within the contemporary context of the green economy and new perspectives for sustainable development.
According to him, environmental preservation and social development must go hand in hand — separating them compromises the future of humanity. "The Amazon rainforest is immense, and under its canopies, there are still many secrets to be unveiled. However, more than biodiversity, the Amazon houses 30 million people who deserve a dignified life, with opportunities, appreciation of natural resources, sustainable growth, technological innovation, and scientific research," he stated.
Urgency - Ambassador Daniela Arruda Benjamin, director of the Regional Integration Department (DIR) of the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressed at the official opening of the ACE the urgency of addressing the causes and consequences of climate change — an agenda that, according to her, needs to be integrated into the regional reality.
"In light of current challenges, this discussion is essential and urgent. Belém represents a concrete opportunity for us to advance this debate, with themes and experiences of common interest," she stated. Daniela Arruda also highlighted the event's program, which includes visits to Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation) units in the Amazon, to the Ecoparque Benevides — a reference in sustainable innovation — local universities, and the Guamá Science and Technology Park.
The official opening ceremony was attended by Ambassador Daniela Arruda Benjamin; the interim representative of the United States, Lee Lipton; the Executive Secretary of Integral Development of the OAS, Kim Osborne; the economic advisor of the U.S. Embassy in Brazil, Matthew Lowe; the president of the Guamá Foundation, João Weyl; the president of Prodepa (Information and Communication Technology Company of the State of Pará), Carlos Maneschy, and other authorities and representatives from government and investment attraction agencies.
Cooperation - The Americas Competitiveness Exchange is recognized as the main platform for promoting economic development, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the Americas. The initiative, led by the OAS and supported by the U.S. Departments of Commerce and State, aims to boost competitiveness and foster cooperation among countries in the hemisphere.
Through the exchange of knowledge, the articulation of strategic partnerships, and the strengthening of collaborative projects, the program seeks to enhance innovation ecosystems, stimulate entrepreneurship, and elevate economic performance across the region — with an impact also in other parts of the planet.
Service: 21st edition of the Americas Competitiveness Exchange. From August 25 to 29, at the Grand Mercure Hotel, in Belém.
