Change in command of Petrobras does not change fuel price, says expert

In an interview with CNNthis Sunday (10), USP professor and former Petrobras director Ildo Sauer said that replacing the president of the state-owned company does not change the price of fuels, because “no one is free to set prices”.

According to him, “at this moment, a change cannot be made, as the legislation creates constraints”. Therefore, Sauer explains that a reduction in prices would only be possible if there were changes in the law.

“In 1997, the Brazilian energy policy law was enacted (Law 9,478). She defined the role of Petrobras, of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP). The law also says that Petrobras must operate in a competitive environment and that energy prices, including oil derivatives, must be competitive. This means that there is a tether with the opportunity cost.”

According to the former director, all these details and, also, because it is a publicly traded company, “the directors are under the supervision of the Securities and Exchange Commission (CVM), as well as the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade), to ensure competitive practices. With these conditions, no manager can practice prices different from those abroad, unless the law is changed”.

Sauer also assessed that the situation in Brazil in relation to oil “is very different” today. “We discovered the pre-salt, the situation has changed, it is now possible to make an efficient public policy, but it has to be done through a law”.

According to him, through legislation “it is possible to guarantee, at the same time, a reasonable return for Petrobras shareholders, but also a balance for the consumer, this is public policy”.

* Under supervision of Thiago Felix

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