Why Ceará is the Future for Investors and Expats
From Refuge to Global Route: Pecém in Memory and in the Present
When I was a child, one piece of news dominated my imagination: the crash of Skylab, the American space laboratory that threatened to plummet to Earth. The newspapers said that its wreckage could fall anywhere in the world – including on my head, I thought.
Faced with fear, an uncle suggested to my father that we go to Pecém, a remote village on the Ceará coast where our paternal family came from. For him, the isolation of the place would protect us from any threat from the sky. Naive or not, the idea has stuck in my memory. Since then, Pecém has become a symbol of refuge and protection.
Decades later, that same Pecém would reappear to me with another meaning: no longer as a hiding place, but as one of the most strategic logistics centers in Brazil and Latin America. That seemingly forgotten land is now projected as a gateway to the future of the global economy.
The Pecém Complex: An Engine of Geopolitical Transformation
The evolution of the Pecém Industrial and Port Complex (CIPP) is one of the biggest development milestones in the Northeast. With a deep-water port capable of receiving the world’s largest ships and an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) – the only one in full operation in Brazil – Pecém has transformed not only the regional economy, but also its geopolitical relevance.
The creation of a new direct sea route to China, shortening the journey to just 30 days, consolidates this leading role. In a scenario of trade tensions and tariff barriers between major powers, Ceará has emerged as a safe and efficient alternative for the flow of goods.
The state, once on the sidelines of major national decisions, now plays a key role in the articulation between Brazil and the BRICS, with emphasis on partnerships in energy, infrastructure and technology. Chinese, Indian and European companies already see Pecém as a bridge for business with Brazil and the rest of the world.
Fortaleza and Iracema Beach: A New Horizon for Expats and Investors
While Pecém represents the industrial side of this transformation, Fortaleza expresses its urban and human dimension – with special emphasis on Praia de Iracema. With its privileged location, year-round pleasant climate, active cultural life and expanding gastronomy, the capital of Ceará has become increasingly attractive to expatriates, digital nomads and investors.
Revitalization projects are enhancing the waterfront, and the city is strengthening its position as an international digital connectivity hub, thanks to the submarine cables that link it directly to Europe and Africa. Fortaleza offers a rare combination of quality of life, low costs and business opportunities.
If I could talk to that little boy scared by Skylab, I’d say that Pecém – once seen as a hiding place – is now one of the main gateways to the future. And that Ceará, with its discreet strength, has become fertile ground for new beginnings, innovation and global growth.
Author: Manoel da Silva
