To promote digital inclusion by facilitating computer purchases and reducing the price tag, the Brazilian federal government launched the Connected Citizen-Computers for All program last November.
Three months later, the project is already operating through four credit lines set up by the National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES).
Cláudio Leal, head of the Indirect Operations department at the BNDES, thinks that the total amount of loans approved so far – US$ 16 million – represents a good initial result. The budget provides for up to US$ 140 million.
According to Leal, the financing provided by the BNDES is used by retail chains to buy computers from the manufacturers and then offer them to consumers for lower prices and on easier payment terms.
Besides the BNDES, the Banco do Brasil and the Caixa Econômica (Federal Savings Bank) are participating in the Computers for All program. The latter two institutions provide financing for their individual account holders to acquire computers.
The Computers for All program stipulates a basic equipment configuration using the Linux operating system. The intention is to promote digital inclusion.
ABr
Show Comments (1)
Guest
A joke…..
…knowing that 70 % of computers are sold illegally in Brazil, to avoid taxes !
And it is doubtful that one will get a loan to buy a smuggled computer !
No doubt that it will still be far cheaper to buy a smuggled computer rather than getting a loan, for which interests muist be paid, to buy a computer that is far more expensive than a smuggled one.
Not much common sense !
If Brazil is really commited to use far more computers, the first thing to do would be to put a tax similar than other countries do, and then still provide loans for buyers !
This would reduce the parallel market, and by reducing it, it increases the overall tax of the non smuggled computers, even at lower rate but so many more computers are taxed as they should be. In fact by reducing the taxes, so many more computers would be sold, that MORE taxes will be collected by the government.