Panel SA: Left does not have a monopoly on wanting social good, and liberals have the same desire, says Natura CEO

With the turn of the year, and the government, the CEO of Natura&Co, Fábio Barbosa, praises the broad front that helped elect Lula and emphasizes that it needs to be heard.

“The PT won the election. But one should not forget that it was also thanks to a broad front, added to the anti-bolsonarist votes”, says Barbosa, who supported the candidacy of Simone Tebet (MDB) in the presidential election.

In the executive’s assessment, the emedebist will have the potential to influence the leadership of the Ministry of Planning, but it is necessary to observe whether, at the time of the game, she will also be able to bring her vision of an economy with a more liberal bias.

“The so-called left-wing proposals do not hold the monopoly on wanting social good. Defenders of more liberal policies have exactly the same desire and understand that the path is different”, he says.

Santista and a fan of Pelé, Barbosa says that the idol’s death leaves a legacy in this passage to 2023: that of humility. “Off the field, a giant who never refused to give an autograph, a smile”, he says.

The year starts now for President Lula’s government. As mr. Do you evaluate the signs given so far for management in the economy? The recent interview of [futuro ministro da Fazenda,] Fernando Haddad, placing an emphasis that had not been given on the fiscal issue and the need to cut expenses, was well received.

I emphasize that the more liberal view of the economy, as well as the emphasis on fiscal control, leads to more investments, more jobs, more opportunities for everyone and, thus, an improvement in the country’s social situation.

The so-called left-wing proposals do not hold a monopoly on wanting the social good. Advocates of more liberal policies have exactly the same desire and understand that the path is different.

There were criticisms of the large PT presence in the composition of the ministries. Mr. Do you agree with these criticisms?The election was won by the PT. But one should not forget that it was also thanks to a broad front, added to the anti-bolsonarist votes.

There is a hard core of PT personnel, but the important thing is that there is dialogue with other currents that were present on the front of support for the elected president, and that can collaborate and should be heard.

Mr. was one of the supporters of Senator Simone Tebet’s candidacy. Did you like to see her name on the Ministry of Planning?Do you think she will have room to influence? In Planning she will be in a position with great potential to influence. Let’s see if, when it’s game time, he will be able to develop his work and bring his vision of a more liberal economy, which seeks to gain productivity, be more competitive and, thus, generate growth.

And the nomination of Marina Silva (Rede) to the Ministry of the Environment? Where should she start?First, let’s make it clear that in the environmental area there is a great opportunity for Brazil to be a power, generate jobs and gain international relevance. And that has to be the vision.

There are, of course, many adjustments to be made, such as combating deforestation, advancing in land titling, reintegrating into international agreements and discussions, etc.

Natura has been working to raise awareness, not only on environmental issues, collecting signatures for a bill in defense of the Amazon rainforest, but also developing a political approach. Recently, it even launched a political education program for the dealer network. Does the change in government change this position of the company in any way?Natura is non-partisan. It will continue with its commitment to the environmental issue, as well as with training programs for consultants and representatives, supporting them in qualifying as good citizens as well.

How big should the concern about inflation be in 2023?High inflation is bad for everyone and even worse for the poorest. President Lula knows this well. Fernando Haddad’s most recent interview, the presence of Simone Tebet and the [vice-presidente] Geraldo Alckmin [PSB], the independence of the Central Bank under Roberto Campos Neto give me hope that we will regain control. Whether or not they work in a coordinated way will define whether it will be a less or more costly process for society.

Santos fan that you are, how did you receive the news of Pelé’s death? What legacy did he leave, in his opinion?Edson Arantes do Nascimento prepared us for his death. Pelé, as many have said, lives. Legacy of humility: in a Libertadores final, I sat next to him in Beira-Rio. Off the field, a giant who never refused to give an autograph, a smile. Dozens of shirts were passed to me for Pelé to autograph. He didn’t refuse any and always wrote the name of the person, because, as he told me, receiving something personalized would be something unforgettable for that person, and for him it was simple, as well as a pleasure.

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Current CEO of cosmetics company Natura&CO since June this year, he is also on the boards of directors of Ambev and Itaú Unibanco. He was president of Febraban (Brazilian Federation of Banks) and has already held the position of president of Santander