THE IMPORTANCE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING
O The Strategic Planning It is a fundamentally important tool for an organization, as it is necessary to understand its reality in order to propose improvements assertively. With planning, actions become more feasible, the chances of success increase and business management becomes more efficient.
This is a common theme in the private sector and is also gaining prominence in the public sphere. There is a new trend in public management that is beginning to recognize the importance of management for the institutional strengthening of the State and, consequently, the development of a favorable environment for business. In this sense, it is essential to understand the current context in order to build strategies that guide the path to the future.
Espírito Santo is currently facing a scenario of great challenges and opportunities. More than ever, flexibility and adaptability are needed to make the state increasingly competitive.
The economy of Espírito Santo has a strong participation of the secondary sector, especially industrial activities related to extractivism and transformation. For comparison purposes, the secondary sector represents more than 38% of the state's GDP, but in Brazil this number does not exceed 28%. Companies such as ArcelorMittal, Vale, Fibria and Samarco are the main players desse mercado e estão concentradas na região metropolitana da Grande Vitória.
Another notable feature is the trade balance profile. Espírito Santo is an exporter of basic products and an importer of manufactured goods. Exports cost an average of US$218/ton, while imports reach US$938/ton. Among the main external customers, the European and Asian markets stand out, accounting for more than 60% of Espírito Santo's external transactions.
The state is home to the world's largest iron ore pellet production park, producing around 60 million tons per year. It is the third largest steel producer in the country, with a capacity of over 8 million tons per year. It is the second largest oil and gas producer in Brazil, producing around 400 thousand barrels per day, accounting for approximately 18% of national production.
Espírito Santo also has a diverse range of production chains that can be developed to increase its competitive position. Currently, there are companies from Espírito Santo that stand out for their specialized technical capacity, recognized by their customers, and that supply different regions of Brazil and several countries. The main production chains include: metalworking, furniture, civil construction, ornamental rocks, clothing, coffee growing, fruit growing, food and beverages, logistics, and oil and gas.
The investment scenario also reveals opportunities. R$120 billion in public and private initiatives were announced for the period 2014-2018. The figures point to a positive scenario for the competitive insertion of Espírito Santo, since 69% of this amount is earmarked for infrastructure, considering energy, port/airport terminals and transportation.
For this new moment in the economy of Espírito Santo, it is essential to focus on productivity and competitiveness. Productivity is the efficiency with which inputs are transformed into products and its increase is a fundamental condition for sustained growth.
Much effort is still needed in this area. Brazilian productivity is low. It takes two Brazilian workers to produce the same amount as one Argentine worker, and five Brazilians to produce the same amount as one American worker. Competitiveness, likewise, is a point that deserves attention. Espírito Santo is classified as low in the State Competitiveness Index – Factors (ICE-F), along with states in the Northeast region. Espírito Santo's result is the worst in the South and Southeast regions.
The analysis of the scenarios shows that structural changes are necessary for the state to develop with investments in: science, technology and innovation, social infrastructure (education, health and security) and industrial infrastructure (logistics, water, energy and communication).
The major investments planned for the state will be geared not only to offshore oil and gas exploration, but also to the naval industry, including shipyards, ports and port bases for companies supplying the supply chain. This requires knowledge and technology that local companies do not yet have, representing an excellent opportunity for diversifying our economy.
By following these guidelines, Espírito Santo will be able to reverse the tendency to concentrate industries only in certain micro-regions of the state and will reduce dependence on commodities na sua economia. É importante realizar o desenvolvimento de maneira equilibrada em todas as microrregiões, potencializando as vocações regionais e dinamizando o emprego industrial em todas elas.
In short, Espírito Santo is a state with a small population, occupying a small territory and with a low share of the national GDP, but it should take advantage of the ease of interaction with domestic and foreign trade through its strategic location. In addition, it is recognized as a state with excellent potential for providing services, and it is worth investing in knowledge.
The future of Espírito Santo is strongly linked to improving basic, primary and vocational education, enabling greater competitiveness in the production of high value-added goods and services. This depends on collective efforts, including public and private initiatives. This synergy of actions will be essential for the sustainable growth of the state's economy.
Within this context, it is important that the public sphere, state and municipalities, through their different sectors, implement and monitor the The Strategic Planning guiding the actions of the entities. To achieve the objectives, supervision and participation of senior management is essential.
The result achieved with the use of The Strategic Planning produces solid results and brings gains to society, contributing to the achievement of sustainable development in the state desired by all.
