Jorge Camargo, president of the Brazilian Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels Institute (IBP), said that the Brazilian presence in the OTC - the largest oil industry event in the world - grew 30% this year and attracted the attention of investors in the most positive moment for the sector in the country.

According to Camargo, the participation of companies, entities, academics and other agents coming from Brazil in the event and the interest in the country increased due to the perception that the country has advanced from a model of "protagonism and state interventionism that was in force in previous governments, To a new strategic vision of the sector, more open to private initiative, with more flexible rules and aimed at attracting investments. "

The greater Brazilian presence was perceived by the participation of the companies in the Brazil Pavilion. There were 42 companies present in 2017, number higher than in 2016, 32 exhibitors.

The president of the IBP pointed out that the end of the single-operator figure of the pre-salt, the fixed auction calendar until 2019 and the changes in the local content policy were exposed by the Brazilian authorities in the OTC this year and well received by potential investors.

The executive stressed that the transition process initiated by this government is aimed at improving the business environment, but there are still some issues to be addressed. He also stated that it is important to recognize that in this transition process some definitions are taken "as far as possible" and represent advances compared to what we had previously, even though they do not address all industrial disputes. Camargo cited as examples the process of opening the single operator and the local content standards, which maintained the fines for not meeting the required percentages of local orders.

"The IBP does not claim to own the truth. The important thing is that Brazil is on the right track and the current federal administration is more friendly to private investment, and the industry has a great convergence with the government. We talk and talk very openly and frankly, "said Camargo.