Editorials published this Wednesday (25/6) in Zero Hora and Jornal do Comércio comment on the arrival of Invest RS in São Paulo. Last Monday (23/6), the agency opened an office in the capital of São Paulo, in a strategic move to get closer to the main economic center of Latin America. The space was opened to expand the agency’s reach and the state’s competitiveness in the competition for investments on the national and international scene.
Zero Hora, June 25, 2025:
Prospecting opportunities
The strategy of Palácio Piratini to open an Invest RS office in São Paulo, aimed at prospecting investments for the state and helping entrepreneurs from Rio Grande do Sul to close deals, makes sense. The physical presence of the development agency in the city that is the country’s financial and economic engine facilitates contacts and negotiations that aim to show businesspeople and corporations from Brazil and abroad the attractions and comparative advantages of Rio Grande do Sul.
After all, the capital of São Paulo is where most of the large conglomerates operating in Brazil are headquartered. As such, it is also where the main executives are located and where decisions are made. Even though technology allows anyone to be contacted anywhere in the world, face-to-face conversations and in-person presentations can still make a difference in winning investments sought after by other states in the federation.
Rio Grande do Sul, challenged by the climate crisis, is going through a decisive period in its history. Last year’s flood, of unprecedented destructive force, was a turning point. It has revealed the urgency for the State to face chronic bottlenecks and seek to solve them without further prevarication, as a way of becoming more competitive – both to avoid suffering from the exodus of human capital and businesses, and to encourage and attract them.
Despite its unequivocal potential, it is clear that the economy of Rio Grande do Sul has lost dynamism in recent decades, especially when compared to other states. To reverse this situation, it is necessary, first of all, to recognize it and stop procrastinating on addressing structural solutions in the most diverse areas, such as public finances, infrastructure and education. Demonstrating that the obstacles are being addressed seriously is an essential step to gain the trust of investors and, thus, to once again consolidate Rio Grande do Sul as a land of opportunities for traditional sectors of the economy of Rio Grande do Sul and emerging segments.
The diversification of activities, with attention to technology, innovation, and energy transition, is a key part of this turnaround. In this context, the announcement of new semiconductor ventures on Monday at the Invest RS new office presentation event gains importance The project by the Tellescom group, headquartered in São Paulo, to invest R$1 billion in a unit in Cachoeirinha is noteworthy. Another confirmed protocol of intentions was with Chipus Microeletronics, from Florianópolis, to set up a development and research center in the state, although the city has not yet been defined.
Operating since the end of 2024, the agency shows in its activity report that, in this short period, it has had contact with approximately 500 companies. The negotiations resulted in projected investments worth R$5 billion. Invest RS is expected to mature institutionally, be protected from political interference and be able to survive different governments, consolidating itself as an instrument of the state. Guided by professionalism, it has a greater chance of succeeding in its objective of boosting the social and economic development of RS.
Jornal do Comércio, June 25, 2025:
Invest RS expands opportunities for the state’s growth
Rio Grande do Sul took a strategic step to attract new investments with the opening, this Monday, of an office of the development agency Invest RS in São Paulo. Located in Brazil’s main financial center, the new space seeks to bring the state closer to major national and international investors, increasing the state’s competitiveness and facilitating dialogue with companies, associations and entities.
The Invest RS office in the state capital will function as a showcase to highlight the potential of Rio Grande do Sul, presenting opportunities in segments that play a relevant role in the state’s economy. There are 12 areas considered strategic, including the automotive and agricultural machinery industries, pulp, forestry, fertilizers, petrochemicals, semiconductors, agribusiness, energy transition products, digital services, tourism and health.
The presence in São Paulo allows direct contact with economic groups that concentrate investments in the Southeast, but show interest in expanding to other regions. At the inauguration of the new office, two projects were announced, both in the semiconductor sector, with an expected investment of over R$1 billion. Tellescom Semicondutores signed a memorandum of understanding to set up a factory in Cachoeirinha, with an initial investment of US$170 million. The unit will produce electronic components for the automotive and telecommunications industries. Chipus signed a cooperation agreement to create a research and development center for integrated circuits, possibly in the Porto Alegre Metropolitan Region.
Invest RS was implemented in 2023 to promote sustainable development, foster innovation and new economies, generate employment and income, and improve competitiveness. The projects made possible by the agency’s work are expected to generate over R$5 billion in investments and 4,466 jobs. Since the creation of Invest RS, 482 contacts have been made with organizations, entities, embassies, and companies. There are 32 active projects and ten initiatives with a term of engagement.
The opening of an Invest RS headquarters in São Paulo is an effective action to boost the economy of Rio Grande do Sul, especially at a time when Rio Grande do Sul is trying to recover from the losses caused by extreme weather events, such as the floods of May 2024 and recurring droughts. Initiatives like this strengthen the business environment and contribute to the resumption of development.
