Author: Dilma Tavares

Source: Sebrae Brasil - 20/05/2010

Brasília - In São Caetano do Sul (SP), the regulation and implementation of the General Law on Micro and Small Enterprises (Complementary Law 123/06) is one of the four main focuses of the city. In the municipality, for example, the incentive to formalize through the Individual Entrepreneur is a pilot of the actions to be developed to put the Law into practice and which include supervisory supervision and reduction of the tax burden.

The initiatives are the result of a specific study and planning process for the sector, which also involves investments in infrastructure, microcredit and red tape in the registration and operation of businesses. With this well-structured program of actions, the mayor of the municipality, José Auricchio Júnior won the VI Edition of the Mayor Entrepreneur Award in the thematic highlighting Bureaucratization.

The initiatives result from a specific study and planning process for the sector, which also involves investments in infrastructure, microcredit and red tape in the registration and operation of businesses.

Municipality with high levels of economic and human development, therefore with a high level of demand, maintaining and elevating the development of the city was a challenge to be conquered by the mayor. Also because, as he explains, “the municipality is not an oasis” protected from difficulties such as the scarcity of space for new developments, floods and overvaluation of properties and land.

The option for certain economic activities takes into account the fact that they are responsible for the main municipal revenues. In the municipality, says the mayor, there are five large companies, 14,1 micro and small companies and approximately 12 freelance professionals. “The maintenance of the city's high development rates depends on the success of the companies located here, and the more they grow and become competitive, the more the municipal administration is able to invest in new projects and actions that consolidate our level of development”, explains José Auricchio Júnior.

According to the mayor, he focused his work especially on four actions: investment in infrastructure, microcredit, debureaucratization and regulation of the General Law of Micro and Small Enterprises, including the part that deals with the incentive to formalize through the Individual Entrepreneur. São Caetano do Sul is one of the municipalities in the ABC of São Paulo that joined the action of Sebrae and the National Front of Mayors (FNP) in order to encourage the regulation and practice of the law.

According to the mayor, the implementation of the General Law included simplified and agile procedures for registering companies through an integrated online system that allows simultaneous analysis of information by Organs municipal bodies involved. Currently, explains the mayor, this system has been used to serve the Individual Entrepreneur and will be expanded to other enterprises.

Another action developed with the public of the Individual entrepreneur, explains the mayor, is supervisory supervision. According to the city hall, those who request this type of formalization and carry out activities that involve handling food or cosmetic products have to go through a guidance module on good health practices. The action generates a certificate that is considered licensed by the health surveillance.

José Auricchio Júnior also highlights the issuance of electronic invoices and differentiated taxation, such as exemption from opening and registration fees, registration changes, requesting certificates, copies of payment slips and company retirement.