Economic growth, increased employment opportunities in addition to housing and social inclusion policies – with their consequent increase in income – stimulated the furniture sector in the last decade, at least until 2012. However, the Brazilian economic slowdown made the furniture manufacturing grow only 1.8% in 2013, while the manufacturing sector grew by 2.8% in the same year. "Additionally, the national furniture industry fell by 8.9% from January to August 2014," says the president of the of Furniture Industry Association of Bento Gonçalves (Sindmóveis), Henrique Tecchio.
To ensure that the sector continues its development, Sindmóveis lists five key policies on the agenda of the new government: simplification and reduction of the tax burden; greater integration of Brazil into the global value chains and international trade; investment in infrastructure; incentives to innovation and long term industrial policy; consolidation and improvement of social programs and housing policies.
Over the next four years, Sindmóveis will continue working to further the interests of the furniture industry together with the state and the federal government.
