COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE AMAZON ECONOMY: BEFORE AND AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MANAUS FREE ZONE – IMPACTS, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Abstract

This article analyzes the economic and social impacts of the state of Amazonas before and after the implementation of the Manaus Free Trade Zone (ZFM), highlighting the progress made, the challenges faced and future opportunities. Created in 1967, the ZFM emerged as a public policy aimed at reducing regional inequalities, economic diversification and integration of the Amazon into the national scenario. The research used data on GDP, formal employment, life expectancy and poverty rates to compare the pre- and post-implementation periods. The results show that the ZFM provided significant advances: the state's GDP showed exponential growth, formal employment more than tripled, and there were notable improvements in social indicators, such as the increase in life expectancy and the reduction in extreme poverty and infant mortality. However, limitations persist, including the concentration of benefits in Manaus, the exclusion of rural and riverside areas, dependence on tax incentives and environmental issues. The study concludes that the continuity of the model requires complementary policies to promote greater regional equity and sustainability, allowing the ZFM to meet contemporary demands and guarantee balanced and inclusive development in the Amazon.