The State of São Paulo - 17/08/2011

The editorial “The siege of illegal trade” (16/8, A3) brings up the most relevant issue for Brazilian society. The operations to combat illegal trade in the city of São Paulo are one of the most vibrant examples of the fact that the union of political will with the integration between the various municipal, state and federal powers linked to justice and security is capable of bringing about profound changes in what before, it seemed immutable. An example that cannot and should not be restricted to the Municipality of São Paulo and that the Free City of Piracy Program, under the management of the Brazilian Institute of Competitive Ethics (Etco), is also taking to other cities in the country that face the same such as Distrito Federal and Curitiba. Several others are in the process of joining the program. It is true that the repression of crime is only one of the possible strands of work in the fight against piracy, which necessarily involves the education of society and the improvement of laws related to the subject. But there is no doubt that the courage and commitment shown by the city of São Paulo amplifies the hope that one day the illegal trade may become a thing of the past.

ROBERTO ABDENUR
ETCO President
São Paulo