Outlook for the IT sector in Brazil in 2017 is positive

Legislation, training of manpower, sources of promotion, reduction of bureaucracy

and political crisis remain the main challenges.

The expansion of technologies associated with Big Data, Analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), Cloud Computing, Third Platform and the digital transformation of companies, organizations and the government are factors that will boost the national IT sector in 2017. , the greater availability of applications on mobile devices, in the Cloud and IoT, demand a substantial increase in investments in the area of information security.

This is the assessment of ABES, which indicates that the prospects for the sector are positive, despite the challenges that have remained over time and that need to be overcome: the complex and unstable tax environment, the deficiencies in the training of , the lack of funding sources and long-term public policies, the need to reduce bureaucracy and the political crisis.

“We have been going through some years of recessive economic conditions, but the sector has managed to go through this turbulent moment, with growth in investments in information technology above the world average, even if at lower rates than in previous years, according to the study data. that ABES carries out in partnership with the IDC. Gartner also points to the software and services area as the main responsible for the expansion of IT investments in Brazil for the coming years”, emphasizes Francisco Camargo, President of ABES. Initial estimates from this ABES/IDC study indicate that the Brazilian growth in IT investments in 2016 was 3%, when compared to the figures for 2015.

digital transformation

For Camargo, this is because ICT technologies are transforming agents and fundamental to leverage all economic and social sectors, both companies, public management and essential services for the population, such as health, education and public safety. “We have further intensified our dialogue with key areas in Brasília, including the ministries of Planning and Science and Technology, and also with the BNDES, in order to articulate new public policies to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship, involving the private sector. , universities, technology parks and governments”, adds the executive. ABES maintains partnerships with innovation and research centers in different regions of Brazil, with Porto Digital (PE), ACATE (SC), Núcleo Softex Campinas (SP) and BH-TEC – Technological Park of Belo Horizonte (MG ).

ABES supports initiatives such as the website  www.BrasilPais.Digital.com.br, discusses the use of data, its protection and privacy and the Entrepreneurship Guide to be released at the end of this month, with several tips for entrepreneurs.

ISS reform with vetoes
ABES ended 2016 with the challenge of working against the increase in tax complexity for the software and services sector, which would result from the approval of Complementary Law No. , of July 31, 2003, which regulates the collection of the Tax on Services of Any Nature (ISS).

“The sectoral entities have mobilized so that the competent municipality to collect the tax does not change, thus avoiding the transfer to the taxpayer of the responsibility to inspect and collect the ISS, which are functions of the state and not of companies. The Executive's vetoes of two articles of the aforementioned Law benefited society in general, avoiding greater complexity and bureaucracy, which would impact the day to day of companies, and could even lead to an increase in the final price of services for customers ”, explains Camargo.

30 years of advances and challenges

In 2016, ABES completed 30 years of existence and the mark of more than 2,000 participating companies, including associates and affiliates, distributed in 23 Brazilian states and the Federal District, responsible for generating more than 120,000 direct jobs and annual revenue. on the order of US$ 20 billion per year.
Throughout its history, the association has stood out for its active participation in the enactment of the main laws of the Brazilian software sector and taxes, in initiatives to increase ethics and business formalization, against the use of pirated software and in the expansion of lines of fostering innovation, based on several actions in partnership with the BNDES and its regional agents.

Aware of changes in the IT sector, with the advent of disruptive technologies, the startup ecosystem and new business models, the association has renewed its activities with a focus on integration and support for members, including the creation of new thematic committees, among they are the ones that address Software as a Service (SaaS) and Internet of Things (IoT).