In two months, BNDES Emergencial reached the milestone of R$6.8 billion approved in working capital for 2,905 operations in Rio Grande do Sul. The National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) made available another R$150 million in credit for working capital to four more companies in Rio Grande do Sul affected by the floods that hit the state at the end of April and in May. 
Among the companies that received funding is Hospital Mãe de Deus, which received R$80 million. The healthcare institution was out of operation for approximately 45 days between May and June. The hospital had to be completely evacuated, with patients being transferred to other units. In addition, there was loss of machinery and equipment and damage to the physical structure. The hospital is a medium and high complexity unit that exclusively serves health insurance and private patients, and is one of the largest in Porto Alegre.
Ferramentas Gedore filed a request for R$30 million for working capital. The floods affected the unit in São Leopoldo, which was out of operation from May 3 to June 25, causing the loss of machinery and equipment and damage to the physical structure.
Another company that had its credit approved was Epavi Vigilância, which operates in property and personnel security and outsourced service management. The R$20 million will help in the recovery of physical structures, which were affected in Canoas. Around 700 employees were unable to work in May, but received their full salaries.
The company Frumar Frutos do Mar also obtained R$20 million for the resumption. The flooding of the units in Porto Alegre (within Ceasa) and São Leopoldo directly impacted the company’s ability to distribute fish to its customers, as both had to be closed. The São Leopoldo headquarters was inoperative for 35 days and the Porto Alegre headquarters for 45 days.
BNDES President Aloizio Mercadante highlighted the speed with which the processes have been processed in Rio Grande do Sul. “Assisting companies and producers affected by the floods in Rio Grande do Sul has been a priority for BNDES and President Lula’s government. At a speed six times faster than average, BNDES has already mobilized R$12.8 billion for companies in Rio Grande do Sul affected by the extreme rains, the vast majority of which are for small and medium-sized companies. With more than 34,000 operations, 445 municipalities have already received support out of the 497 in Rio Grande do Sul,” Mercadante explained.
The Minister of the Extraordinary Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic for Support to the Reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul, Paulo Pimenta, highlighted the various possibilities of support for the state’s entrepreneurs. “BNDES has been a fundamental partner in the resumption of economic and social growth in Rio Grande do Sul. The results are already beginning to appear in recent economic figures,” said the Minister.
In terms of credit, in addition to the R$6.8 billion for working capital, companies were approved for R$1.3 billion for the purchase of machinery and equipment and another R$206 million for investments and reconstruction. The suspension of debt payments amounts to R$3.1 billion in 50.4 thousand operations. In terms of guarantees, R$2.4 billion is provided in 2,882 operations.
