The National Committee for Finance Policy (Confaz) approved today (27) the extension, until March 31, of the freezing of the weighted average price to the final consumer (PMPF) of the Tax on the Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS) levied on fuels.
The decision was approved by the finance secretaries of the 27 federative units. ICMS calculation base to be collected on the final price of gasoline, diesel and ethanol, the PMPF freeze was valid until January 31, but, with today’s decision, it will be valid for another 60 days, until March 31.
“The issue of fuel prices and the freezing of the PMPF has been widely discussed in recent days. This Wednesday (26), the Forum of Governors released a note recommending the approval of the freezing of the PMPF as a provisional measure to contribute to the control of fuel increases. The governors defend, however, structural solutions to stabilize fuel prices, such as a price equalization fund”, informed, in a note, the National Committee of the Secretary of Finance of the States and the Federal District (Consefaz) .
For Consefaz, freezing the ICMS alone is not enough to prevent fuel readjustments, because the central elements of the increases are the variation of the dollar and Petrobras’ policy of parity with the international oil market.
In view of the situation, Consefaz expressed support for the creation of the equalization fund, as a way of preventing the readjustments of the barrel of oil in the international market from being passed on to the final price of fuels, as has been the case, generating frequent increases.
