The Potential of the Southwest Maranhão Region for Attracting Investment in the Productive Sector of the Local Economy

Objective: This article analyzes the potential of the southwestern region of Maranhão to attract investment in the productive sector of the local economy. Theoretical Framework: The southwestern region of Maranhão is one of the most dynamic and economically strategic in the state, boasting enormous potential that is still in the process of being fully exploited. Among its potential, we can highlight large-scale grain farming. The region is located in the heart of MATOPIBA (acronym for Maranhão, Tocantins, Piauí, and Bahia), the country's last great agricultural frontier. It is within this context of opportunity that the municipalities of Imperatriz do Maranhão and Açailândia are located. Method: To achieve the established objective, the work adopted the exploratory methodology in which secondary data and sources were explored to create an understanding of the proposed theme. Results and Discussion: Using the methodology adopted, the study concludes that the southwestern region of Maranhão boasts powerful production capabilities in soybeans, corn, cotton, and beans, as well as integrated agribusiness that attracts large volumes of investment, not to mention beef cattle farming. One of the region's strategic assets is its geographic location. Southwestern Maranhão is a crucial link for the flow of production from MATOPIBA, the main export corridors of the north-south railway that terminates at the port of Itaqui, in São Luís. It is crucial for grain transportation, reducing costs and dependence on road transportation. Another new route currently under construction is the West-East integration railway, which will connect Figueirópolis, in Tocantins, to Porto Sul, in Ilhéus Bahia, passing through southwestern Maranhão. Its implementation will be a game-changer, opening a new flow route to the Atlantic. The driving force behind investment in the productive sector of the local economies of both municipalities is their companies. The municipality of Imperatriz has more than 42,624 companies, while Açailândia has more than 9,401 registered companies, all of which play an important role in generating employment and income for their respective municipalities. Research Implications: The results achieved indicate the economic importance of the southwest region of Maranhão and its contributions to the state's development process, given the natural resources available, its geographical location and among which. Originality/ Value: In academia, there is a research deficit focused on studying the potential of the southwestern region of Maranhão. Therefore, research should contribute to the construction of future academic work for the field of regional development.