Although not personally present at the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland), due to the need to address the political crisis generated by the attack on federal institutions on 8 January, Lula effectively conveyed the messages of fiscal responsibility and centrality of the environmental issue.

Ministers Fernando Haddad (Finance) and Marina Silva (Environment) communicated to foreign investors the message of a Brazil that is starting a new cycle, whose main points will be fiscal responsibility, concern for the environment and the strengthening of democracy.

Speaking on behalf of the government, both promised the international community stability and predictability in the economy and the resumption of commitment to sustainability.

Haddad undertook to present, by April 2023, the new “fiscal anchor” which will replace the spending ceiling (which limits the increase in Union expenditure) and reiterated his intention to eliminate the primary deficit of the State.

Haddad also stressed the importance of the Tax Reform, which should begin discussions in the first half of the year. “We need to rebalance the tax system to improve income distribution in the country,” he assured.

Haddad also declared the government’s willingness to discuss the structure of the tax reform with the IDB (Inter-American Development Bank) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), an unprecedented event for a left-wing government, which in the past has never seen good keep an eye out for possible interference by supranational bodies on economic policy issues.

Marina Silva stressed that Brazil will resume its leading role in the global environmental agenda and that it wants to attract foreign investment for forest conservation. The Amazon Fund (today financed by the governments of Germany and Norway) should soon receive financial contributions from private foundations linked to the actor Leonardo Di Caprio and the tycoon Jeff Bezos, owner of Amazon.

Statements on the importance of protecting Brazilian biomes and fighting the climate emergency were highly applauded. It is an important step to overcome the disastrous environmental policy of the Bolsonaro government, which has had repercussions on the Brazilian economy due to the restrictions imposed on the export of Brazilian agricultural products.

Also present in Davos was the new governor of the rich state of São Paulo, Tarcisio de Freitas. Looking for investments, he has participated in several meetings with international businessmen and authorities. A defender of privatizations, the governor announced during his participation in the demonstration that by the end of 2024 he intends to complete the privatization of Sabesp, an important state company for water treatment.