*By Andriei Gutierrez
It is crucial to ensure that the agenda of regulating social networks or so-called "big tech" companies does not distract from the necessary and strategic debate about the challenges and opportunities for the IT sector in Brazil. Digital transformation has long ceased to be a "future concept" and has become a reality shaping the present of global economies. In Brazil, the evolution of the Information Technology (IT) sector confirms a moment of expansion and maturity, as shown by the most recent data from... Brazilian Software Market Study — Overview and Trends 2025, conducted by ABES in partnership with IDC. In 2024, the country returned to the group of the ten largest IT economies in the world and registered A robust growth of 13.9% in investments, totaling R$ 321.36 billion. With this, Brazil maintained its 10th position in the global ranking, accounting for 1.58% of the world IT market and 35% of the Latin American market — although there was a slight reduction in this latter share.
Given this scenario, ABES, an organization representing over two thousand companies, mostly micro and small businesses across all Brazilian states, understands the importance of establishing a Regulatory Agenda to strategically boost the digital competitiveness of our country.
Building a digital and competitive Brazil is not the simplest task, but it is not impossible either. Bearing in mind that the digital economy is increasingly one of the engines of global growth, and that Brazil needs to be prepared to compete in this environment, ABES's Regulatory Agenda highlights precisely the need for balanced public and regulatory policies that favor innovation. We advocate that technology should be seen as a state priority, integrated into public policies that guarantee a dynamic and secure digital ecosystem.
One of the main proposals on the agenda is the creation of a centralized governance structure for digital transformation, directly linked to the Presidency of the Republic, in order to coordinate the modernization of the country with a strategic and long-term perspective. This initiative aims to ensure that technological advancements occur in a structured manner, regardless of political changes. In this sense, we will continue working with other economic sectors on the Brazil Digital 2030+ project, focusing on centralized governance.
On the other hand, the public sector plays a central role in innovation, whether through regulation or the acquisition of innovative technological solutions. In this sense, we propose strengthening digital government, with incentives for public digital infrastructures, interoperability of systems, and open access to public data and infrastructure to foster innovative solutions by the private sector.
Another critical point addressed is the urgent need for a more rational tax policy for technology. ABES has long warned that a high tax burden can inhibit the sector's development and deter investors, hindering the consolidation of an innovative and competitive market in Brazil. We advocate that taxation on technology companies be structured in a way that stimulates sustainable growth and innovation, ensuring that companies can reinvest in training, research, and development.
The migration of organized crime towards cybercrime is already a reality. Cybersecurity is becoming a priority as these criminals increasingly target digital infrastructures essential to economic and governmental sectors. In this context, ABES advocates for the implementation of a Cybersecurity Legal Framework and the creation of an agency to centralize public policies, strengthen the resilience of Brazilian organizations, and thus prevent cybercrime.
Regarding AI, we encourage the Brazilian government to continue advancing initiatives such as the Brazilian AI Plan (PBIA) to boost the development and adoption of AI in Brazil, regardless of the nationality of the AI development company. On the other hand, we maintain that regulation should not inhibit the development of the technology or create excessive restrictions and obligations for organizations. We advocate that rights be preserved, but that this should not occur at the expense of legal certainty and the competitiveness of our country.
At the other extreme, the lack of qualified professionals is one of the biggest obstacles to the expansion of IT in Brazil. Again, I refer to the Brazilian Software Market Study – Panorama and Trends 2025, which points to a worrying fact: the training of technology professionals is not keeping pace with the growing demand from companies! To address this issue, the Regulatory Agenda suggests expanding training programs, incentivizing talent retention in the country, and promoting diversity and digital inclusion policies. And, obviously, we advocate for the permanent implementation of payroll tax exemptions for technology companies, as we understand that this incentive not only ensures greater competitiveness for the sector but also allows for a broader search for and hiring of more specialized professionals.
Building a more digital and less unequal Brazil depends on concrete actions that go beyond the regulation of social networks and so-called "big tech" companies. ABES works to ensure that Brazil positions itself competitively and strategically in the new global landscape, increasingly driven by technology. Therefore, we present our Regulatory Agenda for 2025 for building a competitive digital sovereignty with a pragmatic approach, guaranteeing a balanced regulatory environment aligned with this broader strategy.
*Andriei Gutierrez is the President of the Brazilian Association of Software Companies (ABES).
Article originally published on the TI Expertise website: https://tiexpertise.com.br/uma-agenda-para-o-avanco-da-tecnologia-no-brasil/
