Entrepreneurs from Santarém learn about Banpará Comunidade, Empodera, and CredCidadão programs
Initiatives are part of the State government's strategies to enhance the popular economy and encourage entrepreneurship in all regions of Pará
The Regional Government Secretariat of Baixo Amazonas (SRGBA), aiming to promote productive inclusion and strengthen the local economy, hosted on Tuesday (6) a series of lectures about the State government's microcredit programs - Banpará Comunidade, Empodera, and CredCidadão. The meeting, held in the auditorium of SRGBA in Santarém, brought together dozens of women entrepreneurs and community leaders from western Pará.
The actions are part of the Pará State Government's effort to expand access to credit for small businesses and enterprises led by women, strengthening female entrepreneurship and encouraging the economy in neighborhoods and communities.
During the event, the opportunities offered by the credit lines were detailed. The lectures were conducted by Madson Gomes, a representative of Banpará, and Raimundo Gazel, coordinator of the CredCidadão Program in Santarém. The goal was to clarify doubts and present the ways to access the resources.
Opportunity - One of the participants, Valdirene Vidal, an artisan specialized in bio-jewelry, macramé, and sustainable decoration, said she sees in the State programs a possibility to expand her business, which values the culture and natural resources of the region.
“I work with seeds, peels, leaves, and vines acquired directly from the riverside communities of Santarém. With this credit, I can buy more raw materials and improve my productions. This strengthens my work and helps other people in the community,” highlighted Valdirene, who runs a store in the Cristo Rei Craft Center.
Valquíria Santos, president of the Community Association of Bairro Salvação, which brings together more than 600 women and works to stimulate income generation in the neighborhood, said, “We want to multiply this knowledge, bringing it to more women who are entrepreneurs and drive the local economy. This is what transforms the reality of many families.”
The regional secretary of the Government of Baixo Amazonas, Nélio Aguiar, emphasized the importance of public credit policies as tools for regional development. “The economy of Baixo Amazonas thrives on the strength of small initiatives, especially those led by women. By offering credit with guidance, the State government is opening doors for these entrepreneurs to grow, generate income, and occupy increasingly relevant spaces in the local economy,” added Nélio Aguiar.
Promotion - CredCidadão is a State government program that offers accessible microcredit, with low interest rates — at most 1% per month — and the possibility of renewal. Aimed at formal and informal micro-entrepreneurs, it offers up to R$ 5,000 in credit to promote small businesses, generate jobs, and stimulate the local economy.
Banpará Comunidade and Empodera, operated by the Bank of the State of Pará (Banpará), are aimed at individuals, individual micro-entrepreneurs (MEI), and micro-enterprises. Empodera is exclusive to women entrepreneurs, promoting the strengthening of women's financial autonomy.
These initiatives are part of the state government's strategy to enhance the popular economy and encourage entrepreneurship in all regions of Pará.
