São Paulo, August 16, 2011 - The president of the National Forum Against Piracy and Illegality (FNCP), Edson Vismona, and the president of the Brazilian Institute of Ethics in Competition (ETCO), Roberto Abdenur, delivered yesterday, 15/08, a letter to the mayor of São Paulo City Council , councilor José Police Neto. In the document, the entities officially support the actions to combat illegal trade carried out by the Integrated Management Office (CGI), which has been carried out under the coordination of the Municipal Secretary for Urban Security, Edsom Ortega.

In the document, the two entities take stock of the innumerable illegalities found by the operations triggered by the CGI since 2010 and affirm that the action initiated by the GGI in the so-called “Feira da Madrugada” must deserve all the support of civil society and fundamentally of the Municipal Parliament:

“… The action initiated by GGI in the so-called“ Feira da Madrugada ”must deserve all the support of civil society and fundamentally of our Municipal Parliament. It scares any citizen the possibility of a disaster occurring in that space, occupied without the minimum security conditions. A quick visit is enough to identify the precariousness of the place, from the disordered division of the area, to the precarious electrical and circulation conditions of the thousands of people who pass through it daily. To continue to accept this market under existing conditions would represent an omission by the public authorities.

It should be emphasized, Mr President, that in no way is it intended to combat popular trade, on the contrary, it should be encouraged and that dignified conditions should be given for its realization. What is unacceptable is that this trade is considered marginal, forgotten, and given over to illegality, as if people looking for cheaper products do not deserve respect ”.

Full document:

Sir José Police Neto

DD. Mayor of São Paulo

The National Forum Against Piracy and Illegality - FNCP and the Brazilian Institute of Competition Ethics - ETCO are non-profit civil associations that act in defense of legality, promoting actions to encourage cooperation between civil society and public administration to strengthen the combating the illegal practices that cause so much damage to the consumer, the purse and loyal competitiveness, in the search for a better environment in Brazil to attract investments and maintain jobs.

With the institution of the Office of Integrated Management - GGI, by the Municipality of São Paulo, bringing together sectors of the federal, state and municipal public administration, with the coordination of the Secretary of Urban Security, FNCP and ETCO were invited to participate, with other civil associations, of this effort to improve the coordinated action to stimulate security in the city of São Paulo.

In the development of the work of GGI and with the signing of the agreement “Cidade Livre de Pirataria” with the National Council for Combating Piracy of the Ministry of Justice, managed by ETCO, it was identified that the illegal trade in pirated, fake or illegal products (contraband or embezzlement) represents an evident misuse of conduct to the detriment not only of the purse and of the formal companies that invest and comply with the law, but also of the consumer, either because this illegal trade occupies spaces without attending to the postures related to the safety of people, either because these products can affect your health.

Since December 2010, 22 joint operations have been carried out by the City Hall, the Federal Revenue Service, the Civil Police, the Federal Police, the State Finance Department and the PROCON Foundation. More than 26 million products were seized, demonstrating the enormity of this illegal trade, which does not respect the existence of permits, licenses, health surveillance positions, issuing of invoices and the Consumer Protection Code.

Drugs were also seized in the operations and illegal aliens were identified.

The results presented demonstrate that if the public power does not occupy the space it owes and implements order and law, illegal trade will do so, facilitating the action of criminal organizations, with harmful effects for the whole of society.

In this context, the action initiated by GGI in the so-called “Feira da Madrugada” must deserve all the support of civil society and fundamentally of our Municipal Parliament. It scares any citizen the possibility of a disaster occurring in that space, occupied without the minimum security conditions. A quick visit is enough to identify the precariousness of the place, from the disorderly division of the area, to the precarious electrical and circulation conditions of the thousands of people who pass through it daily. To continue to accept this market under existing conditions would represent an omission by the public authorities.

It should be emphasized, Mr President, that in no way is it intended to combat popular trade, on the contrary, it should be encouraged and that dignified conditions should be given for its realization. What is unacceptable is that this trade is considered marginal, forgotten, and given over to illegality, as if people looking for cheaper products do not deserve respect.

In fact, the action of the Integrated Management Office is an example that should be followed by other public administrations, because an important step was taken in order to act and not only to express regrets and apologies. Much has been done and much needs to be done, correcting any errors, but moving on.

This report is presented with respect to the municipal parliament, which, the maximum expression of the legitimacy of the citizen of São Paulo, has shown concern with the defense of its highest interests.

Respectfully,

Edson Luiz Vismona Roberto Abdenur

President of FNCP President of ETCO