‘In a few years, Jequitinhonha will no longer be the poorest region in MG’, says president of Fiemg

The president of the Federation of Industries of the State of Minas Gerais (Fiemg), Flávio Roscoe, believes that lithium exploration in the Jequitinhonha Valley, historically affected by socioeconomic gaps, can boost the region’s development. This Sunday (5), in an interview with Itatiaia, in Shanghai, China, Roscoe stated that the exploration of lithium deposits brings “great prospects” to cities where there are reserves of the mineral.

“Lithium is the great opportunity for the Jequitinhonha Valley. In a few years, the Jequitinhonha Valley will go from being the poorest region in Minas Gerais to being a region of average development — or even higher than the others. There is a great perspective. Lithium is the bearer of this future”, he said.

Roscoe is part of a delegation of businessmen from Minas Gerais who are in China looking to attract investment to the state. Governor Romeu Zema (Novo) is also part of the group.

“I believe that Minas Gerais has everything it takes to become a major global lithium producing power — and even surpass Australia in 10 years’ time. With this, obviously, countless opportunities will be generated”, added the Fiemg director , in reference to the Oceanian country that, alongside Chile, leads the world ranking of lithium exploration.

The mineral is used, for example, to produce batteries for electric cars. The 14 mining cities with reserves of the material form the so-called “Lithium Valley”.

“There are more than 60 companies today researching lithium areas in the Jequitinhonha Valley. There are two active today: Sigma and Companhia Brasileira de Lítio (CBL). There are several others in different research processes or already starting licensing. Go will certainly be a flood of investments. We are talking, in the coming years, of R$ 30 billion”, projected Flávio Roscoe.

Forum is hope to attract investments

On Tuesday (7), Fiemg will promote the “Brazil China Business Forum”, in a hotel in Shanghai. According to Roscoe, the idea is that, from now on, the event will take place annually in order to point out, to Asian businesspeople, the investment possibilities in Minas Gerais. In addition to lithium, two other minerals — silicon and niobium — will be at the forefront of the state’s potential presented to the Chinese.

According to the director, although China is Brazil’s main trading partner, there are still “many opportunities to be explored” in dialogue between the two nations. For him, Minas is essential in order to expand the countries’ economic dialogue.

“It’s an action to strengthen relationships. There are already many relationships, but they can be expanded”, he explained.

According to the president of Fiemg, more than 100 companies from Minas Gerais will participate in the conference.

Coverage of the Business Mission to China, which has the participation of the governor of Minas Gerais, is offered by FIEMG and partner companies.

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