Forecast ventures

According to information from the Department of Tourism, by 2020 Bahia may become the main tourist destination in Brazil and the Northern coast shall be consolidated as the major hotel pole of Latin America, even surpassing Cancun, in Mexico. Today, the consolidation of some touristic ventures at Coqueiros coast has provided the constant attraction of other companies and projects.

Among the new ventures of the Northern coast is the Vila Gale, inaugurated in February 2006 in Guarajuba, after a R$ 70 million investment of the Portuguese group. The Iberostar Praia do Forte, second venture of Iberostar Hotels & Resorts in the Northern coast of Bahia, and the Reserva Imbassai, which is already under operation, were inaugurated in November 2008. The Costa do Sauipe Complex continues to expand, and the Praia do Forte EcoResort was sold to the Portuguese group Espirito Santo.

Facilities make a difference:
The proximity of the Luis Eduardo Magalhaes International Airport, facility of road access, offered infrastructure (energy, water and sewage) and natural beauty facilitates the arrival of new ventures in the Northern coast. The opinion comes from the planning advisor of the Superintendence of Investments in Touristic Poles of Bahia (SUINVEST), Ines Garrido. She highlighted that new investments are forecast, especially by European groups linked to the sector

Investors
For those who consider investing in the State the opportunities are many, since, according to the State Secretary of Planning, Ronald Lobato, the State's strategy is to integrate Bahia with the world and, therefore, it needs to invest in infrastructure and logistics.

Public investments in infrastructure
Prodetur/NE II-Ba investments have been intended by SETUR to improve the institutional and infrastructure conditions for the expansion and qualification of the tourist activity. Now in its second phase, the program involves resources of US$ 112.38 million; US$ 39 million from BID financing through BNB, and US$ 73.38 million in compensation, divided between the State of Bahia and the Union, with an expected disbursement until September 2009. Between January and October 2008 a total of US$ 21.3 million was invested.
In the 2006-2007 biennium US$ 32.294.995.43 million were applied; US$ 10.694.495.43 million in 2006, and US$ 21.600.499.95 million in 2007, which shows a change of the rhythm in the program's implementation. The same shall occur in 2008-2009 biennium. An investment of about US$ 57.142.857.14 million is estimated for the period; the largest amount is expected for 2008, with about US$ 48.571.428.57 million. Until October the equivalent to 43.7% was disbursed from the total planned, with provision of disbursement by the end of the year, of more than 10.6%.

State Tax Incentives
-ICMS ON FIXED ASSETS
Deferral of due ICMS release and payment referent to the acquisition of goods intended for fixed assets in projects approved by the Government, in the implementation or expansion of hotel enterprises, according to Decree No. 6734 from 09/09/1997, added to the Decree No. 9513 from 08/10/2005
- ICMS ON ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Reduction of the ICMS percentage on electric energy consumption for the hotel sector from 25% to 12%, according to Decree No. 1.557 from 09/25/1992.
-REDUCTION OF INCOME TAX
Reduction of the income tax payable until 2013, on the amount of 74% of the tax.

Port of Salvador
With a cargo handling system which grows year after year at the same pace of the economic development implemented in the State, the Port of Salvador, located in All Saints' Bay, displays the titles of port of biggest handling of containers of the North/Northeast and 2nd largest fruit exporter in Brazil.
It is in this rhythm of intense cargo shifting that the Port of Salvador prepares itself for new investments in technological modernization and port infrastructure, implementing greater operational agility and more competitive rates. The goal is to provide the infrastructure necessary for the flow of products, meeting the real needs of national exporters and importers.
For this, it is already forecast the construction of two new mooring berths for large size ships, with draft of 14 meters at the length of the Aguas de Meninos Pier. The new mooring berths will have approximately 465 meters in the North direction, increasing the ability to dock ships and expanding the handling and storage area of goods in 100 thousand square meters. The production flow will be facilitated from the construction of port channel connecting the Port to BR-324 Highway.
The revitalization of the Port of Salvador goes further and suggests the recovery of the entire Trade district, where it is located.
The project includes investments that go beyond R$ 150 million to be divided among the spheres of federal, state and municipal governments, and a partnership with the private sector. The objective: achieve a prominent position within the new mapping of Brazil's port infrastructure.