ZONAS ECONÔMICAS ESPECIAIS NO ESTADO DE MINAS GERAIS: uma análise dos fatores viabilizadores e dificultadores

Abstract

Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have in recent decades become an important strategy for economic stimulus. The SEZs are associated with regional development policies and the fight against economic stagnation. The effectiveness of an SEZ depends on the regional economic context and its potentials, incentive policies, attraction of investments, as well as the supply of infrastructure for productive flow. In this sense, transportation being as efficient as possible can reduce costs and risks. However, Brazil may present limitations to the development of SEZs especially due to the unbalance of its transport matrix predominantly associated with the road modal. In view of the above, on the one hand, there is a consolidated economic development tool for emerging countries (SEZs) and, on the other, an inefficient transportation infrastructure. In Brazil there are 26 ZEEs, but only two are in effective operation and, specifically in the state of Minas Gerais, there are two SEZs approved, but still in the project stage. In view of the established scenario, the objective of this dissertation is to analyze the factors that can hinder or facilitate the effective implementation of SEZs in the state of Minas Gerais. Methodologically, the work is characterized as a case study, qualitative

approach and interpretivist epistemology. The study data were collected through semi- structured interviews with municipal representatives involved with the SEZs projects in the

Minas Gerais cities of Teófilo Otoni and Uberaba. The data collected were analyzed using

Lexical Analysis and Content Analysis techniques. As a result of this research, a theoretical- hypothetical model is suggested based on the interrelation of facilitating factors for the

effective implementation of SEZs in the state of Minas Gerais, of the hindering factors, of the effectiveness of an SEZ under the influence of transportation modals and, finally, resulting in the model's performance and promotion of regional development.