In a presentation during the public hearing of the House of Mines and Energy Committee of the House of Representatives on Wednesday (22/5), which debated Bill 6407/2013 on changes to the Gas Law, the manager of Oil, Gas and Naval da Firjan, Karine Fragoso, pointed out that the lack of a dynamic natural gas market in the country impacts projects and investments in the Southeast Region, especially in Rio de Janeiro, which exceed R $ 140 billion by 2023.And, she said, other potential projects in the order of R $ 240 billion across the country could be leveraged if there was a business environment favorable to the development of the open market for natural gas

"Today, in the state of Rio, 40,000 industrial jobs are at risk because of the high cost of natural gas for the industries, due to the monopoly both in production and distribution of the product," said Karine.

For Firjan, it is fundamental to make progress in opening up this market, since, after two years of proceedings in Congress, there is more consensus than dissent on the subject. "The opening of the market should occur as soon as possible. While this is not the case, the loss to the economy and to society is daily and incalculable, "Karine said.

The debate to discuss Bill 6407/13 dealing with measures to promote the natural gas industry occurred at the request of Silas Câmara (PRB-AM), committee chairman, Joaquim Passarinho (PSD-PA), Colonel Armando (PSL-SC) and Christino Aureo (PP-RJ).In addition to Karine, participated, among others, the Superintendent of Infrastructure and Movement of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP), Hélio da Cunha Bisaggio; the representative of the Forum of Business Associations Pro-Development of the Natural Gas Market and of the Association of Large Consumers of Energy and of Free Consumers, Paulo Pedrosa; and the chief executive of the Brazilian Chemical Industry Association, Fernando Figueiredo.

Parliamentary front 

Still on Tuesday, Firjan's vice president Raul Sanson and Karine Fragoso also welcomed the installation of the Joint Parliamentary Front for the Sustainable Development of Renewable Energy and Petroleum, whose front-runner is Rep. Christino Aureo . The ceremony is attended by the Minister of Mines and Energy, Bento Albuquerque.

According to the deputy from Rio de Janeiro, the sustainable development of petroleum now passes through the energy transition to renewable sources. According to Aureo, natural gas is the great bridge for this transition, from the current stage to the energy future.

Audience at Agenersa 

Firjan also participated, on Tuesday (21/5), in the public hearing promoted by Agenersa in Rio, which discusses measures to promote the natural gas industry in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The meeting served to discuss the regulations of self-producer, self-importer and free consumer. According to Firjan's Oil, Gas and Naval specialist, Fernando Montera, the federation supports the structuring of a free natural gas market, with rules that make it easier for new consumers to enter the state.

"The state of Rio de Janeiro is fully capable of being one of the great inducers of the natural gas market in Brazil. However, this means establishing a pro-business environment, without disrespecting contracts, but knowing that we can not miss the opportunity that lies ahead, "said Firjan specialist.