New Initiatives Boost Support for Small Businesses in Rio and Pernambuco

On April 13, 2026, two significant initiatives were launched in Brazil to empower small businesses, highlighting a renewed commitment to entrepreneurship and economic development. In Rio de Janeiro, the Prefeitura inaugurated a new Sala do Empreendedor unit in Jacarepaguá, aimed at supporting the region’s more than 28,000 businesses, predominantly Microentrepreneurs. This new center, part of the Empreenda Rio program, provides free services such as business formalization, MEI registration, tax document issuance, and debt management to foster entrepreneurship and financial autonomy. Jacarepaguá's service sector forms over 55% of its economy, with 13,026 Microempreendedores Individuais (MEIs) emphasizing the area’s potential. Secretary Manoel Vieira highlighted the expansion's role in opening more opportunities for local entrepreneurs, while Bia Aquino, director of the Jacarepaguá center, noted the initiative's positive impact on the local entrepreneurial landscape. Access to these services is available through scheduled WhatsApp appointments.

Simultaneously, in Recife, Pernambuco, the Conexões Corporativas event, promoted by Sebrae Pernambuco, brought together small businesses and large corporations to share strategies and enhance competitiveness. Focusing on the bakery and automotive repair sectors, the event marked the launch of the Encadeamento Produtivo project, designed to create productive linkages fostering economic growth. Sebrae representatives emphasized ongoing training and professionalization as keys to success for Pernambuco's approximately 10,700 bakery businesses (mostly micro-entrepreneurs) and 13,500 automotive repair shops. Sebastian Pedro of Grande Moinho Cearense underscored the interdependence of large companies and small businesses, while Francisco Luna, president of the bakery association, stressed the need for continual skill development. Eriberto Marc of Ekko Parts discussed the Oficina Legal 2026 program aimed at strengthening automotive workshops. Sebrae's comprehensive consulting and capacity-building efforts seek to improve competitiveness and integrate small businesses into supply chains, as emphasized by Henrique Malaquias, state industry manager of Sebrae/PE.

Together, these efforts underscore Brazil’s growing focus on creating supportive ecosystems for micro and small enterprises, leveraging public and private sector cooperation to stimulate sustainable economic development.