A lei 123/06 como instrumento de fortalecimento da economia local: um estudo da participação das microempresas e empresas de pequeno porte do município de Natal nos pregões eletrônicos da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

Abstract

This research aimed to verify whether the purchases from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, in the Electronic Auction mode, from the provisions of Law 123/2006 establishing that public contracts with a value of up to R $ 80.000.00 (eighty thousand reais) per item, must be made solely on micro and small enterprises, influenced the economic strength of the city of Natal in the perception of micro and small local entrepreneurs. The research adopted the premise that government purchases beyond the supply function of public administration input demands can be formatted as public policies to combat the complex social inequality and to promote local economic empowerment. To give objective account, they analyzed the minutes of electronic auctions processed by the institution in 2015 and questionnaires to representatives of micro and small enterprises located in Natal, winners of such tenders. It was identified that 28% of the auctioned items were awarded to micro and small enterprises of Natal, which UFRN as client helped the companies to increase the number of employees or reduce layoffs, that a good part of the winning companies buy their inputs from other municipalities in other Brazilian states, there has been increased investment in terms of sales. We conclude, however, that the Law 123/2006 lacks other public policies and actions that give support to the strengthening of the local economy as the focus not on their devices buying local companies end up in many situations, benefiting other regions more dynamic and concentrating economic power in other locations.