NOVAS MUDANÇAS ESTRUTURAIS NA ECONOMIA BAIANA: MITO OU REALIDADE?

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to assess prospects for future development of the state of Bahia in the first years of the new century. Initially, it analyzes the reasons for low economic growth in the first half of the 90’s. The performance of its main economic sectors –petrochemical, metallurgy and agro-industry – is stressed. This is followed by an identification of the industrial sectors that are most recently building plants in Bahia, as a result of a “local industrial policy”. Finally, it examines the real chances of success of one of these sectors – automotive industry – as a driving force to promote structural changes and, therefore, to influence the future evolution of the local economy.