Una integración virtuosa: el caso de la economía bahiana

Abstract

This exploratory article seeks to discuss the economic integration of the state of Bahia, its limitations and opportunities, and to identify trends in order to guide public policies aimed at economic growth. It should be noted that, although growing, Bahia's share is still quite small compared to the potential that is emerging. Being the largest exporter among the Northeast states reveals, in a way, the magnitude of the region's problems, rather than local success: until 2002, Bahia generated 34% of Brazil's gross domestic product (GDP) Bahia's foreign trade is concentrated in a few semi-finished products originating from a limited number of sectors and a small number of companies: just four companies account for more than 50% of the state's imports and exports. It is therefore appropriate to pose the fundamental research question that guided this work: what available opportunities could allow Bahia to move towards a virtuous integration? Two alternatives were analyzed: increasing the cdensity of the production chain through the Ford Northeast Industrial Complex (CIFN) and the revaluation of resource-intensive sectors.