Concession was signed at auction, with a premium of 132% in relation to the initial proposal of the state government; Reserva Paulista Consortium will run parks for 30 years
THE Zoo SP, Zoo Safari and Botanical Garden of São Paulo, which until then were owned by the state government, were auctioned to the private sector on the capital’s stock exchange on Tuesday, 23. The winner, Consórcio Reserva Paulista, made up of five companies, offered R $ 111 million, goodwill of 132% in relation to the minimum proposal requested by the state, of R $ 48 million. According to the government of São Paulo, one of the objectives is to make the places more attractive to the public with the investment of the private sector. While the zoo is considered profitable, the Botanical Garden has an annual deficit of around R $ 4 million. The concession contract is worth 30 years and requires the renovation, management, maintenance, operation, exploration and modernization of spaces.
By the concession notice, approved by the Legislative Assembly of São Paulo in June 2019, children up to 4 years of age will not need to pay for the admission of locals and students and public school teachers must have guaranteed free of charge for at least two days a week, in addition to people with physical disabilities and researchers. The preservation of endangered species will continue under the responsibility of the State Department of Infrastructure and Environment. The Botanical Garden was founded in 1928 and the zoo, considered the largest in Brazil, was founded in 1958.
