Connecting Sertão Project
Regional Program for the Economic Preparation of Sertão Central for the Multimodal Dry Port in Quixeramobim, the Transnordestina Railway, and the strategic outlook for the Export Processing Zone (ZPE) (prospective project).
Initiative structured by ADR Sertão Central which positions Sertão Central as a logistics, industrial, and export platform, integrating municipalities, government, development institutions, and the private sector.
Overview
The Sertão Central of Ceará faces one of the most significant economic transformation opportunities in its recent history, driven by the implementation of the Multimodal Dry Port of Sertão Central in Quixeramobim, by the Transnordestina railway — approximately 1,2 thousand km between Eliseu Martins (PI) and the Port of Pecém (CE) (Agência Brasil via Diário de Pernambuco, 02/07/2026), with tracks in Quixeramobim since 14/08/2026 (see timeline), and by the Export Processing Zone (ZPE) — prospective outlook, not formally approved —, shaping a new dynamic based on logistics, industrialization, and integration into national and international markets.
The initiative is already underway, marked by the staging of the I Seminário Conectando o Sertão, held in 09/04/2026 at FAUNIQ – Quixeramobim, standing as an institutional milestone for the launch of the program and the beginning of structured regional mobilization, attended by mayors, leaders of the productive sector, educational institutions, and business groups such as Grupo J. Macêdo and Value Port Terminais Multimodais.
A structural transformation in the regional economy
The new infrastructure elevates Sertão Central to an unprecedented logistical, productive, and competitive level. Without advance preparation, there is a risk of the “corridor effect” — economic flows merely crossing the territory without generating local development.
Multimodal Dry Port
Implementation in Quixeramobim, with a planned area exceeding 362 hectares (forecast — Diário do Nordeste).
Source: Diário do NordesteTransnordestina railway
approximately 1,2 thousand km between Eliseu Martins (PI) and the Port of Pecém (CE) (Agência Brasil via Diário de Pernambuco, 02/07/2026); tracks in Quixeramobim since 14/08/2026 (Diário do Nordeste).
ZPE
Export Processing Zone (ZPE) — prospective outlook, not formally approved.
Magnésio do Nordeste LTDA
Protocol announced in May/2026; start of works planned for July/2026 — no public confirmation through 28/10/2026
- • Planned investment: R$ 370 million (announced estimate)
- • Announced area: ~18 hectares (near Parque de Exposição de Quixeramobim)
- • Planned job creation: ~450 direct (3 phases)
- • Market outlook: national automotive industry
- • Potential connection: Transnordestina railway and Export Processing Zone (ZPE) (prospective outlook, not formally approved)
Source: Governo do Ceará / Prefeitura de Quixeramobim — May/2026. Data subject to update — project does not constitute an implemented operation.
Timeline — Dry Port and Transnordestina
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The four strategic dimensions
The program evolves from an initial awareness approach to an integrated model, structured into four complementary dimensions.
Institutional awareness and mobilization
Coordination among managers, leaderships, and the productive sector around the regional agenda.
Regional Economic Intelligence Platform
Collection, systematization, and analysis of strategic data of the territory.
Structured business generation
Connection between entrepreneurs, investors, and the productive ecosystem.
Integration with logistical and industrial infrastructure
Preparation for the Dry Port, the Transnordestina Railway, and the strategic outlook for the Export Processing Zone (ZPE) (prospective project).
Structure and position Sertão Central to absorb opportunities generated by the Transnordestina railway, the Multimodal Dry Port in Quixeramobim, and the potential implementation of the Export Processing Zone (ZPE), through strengthening its economic, institutional, and productive base.
Specific Objectives
- Raise awareness and align public managers and leadership regarding opportunities arising from the new regional logistical infrastructure.
- Train business leaders and economic actors to operate in logistics, industrial, and export chains.
- Map regional economic vocations and identify strategic sectors with development potential.
- Identify professional training demands aligned with the new productive dynamics.
- Integrate public policies, development agencies, and the productive sector across the territory.
- Structure a regional economic intelligence base with strategic data.
- Preparing the regional economic environment for integration with the Multimodal Dry Port in Quixeramobim.
- Encourage the integration of local companies into productive chains associated with the strategic outlook of the Export Processing Zone (ZPE) (prospective project).
- Foster business generation and productive connections among agents, investors, and institutions.
- Align economic development and urban planning (Municipal Master Plans).
I Seminário Conectando o Sertão
The Sertão Central Multimodal Dry Port in Quixeramobim and the transformation of the regional economy.
Date
09/04/2026
Location
FAUNIQ — Quixeramobim
Strategic guests
Grupo J. Macêdo · Value Port
Target audience
Municipal public managers (mayors, secretaries, and technical teams); coordination bodies such as APRECE; state agencies such as ADECE, SDE, and SEPLAG; support institutions (SEBRAE); education and research institutions; business associations (CDL); cooperatives, associations, and regional leaders.
Gallery of the First Conectando o Sertão Seminar
Official images of the event held in 09/04/2026 at FAUNIQ — Quixeramobim, attended by public managers, productive sector leaders and partner institutions.
Institutional and Media Records
Press coverage of the I Seminário Conectando o Sertão by regional outlets. Click to view posts published on Instagram.
@sertaotvceara
Sertão TV Ceará
Instagram Reel
@osertaoenoticia
O Sertão é Notícia
Instagram Reel
@osertaoenoticia
O Sertão é Notícia
Instagram Reel
@sertaotvceara
Sertão TV Ceará
Instagram Reel
@sertaotvceara
Sertão TV Ceará
Instagram Reel
@sertaotvceara
Sertão TV Ceará
Instagram Reel
@sertaotvceara
Sertão TV Ceará
Instagram Reel
@osertaoenoticia
O Sertão é Notícia
Instagram Reel
More records will be added as new publications become available.
Commerce, logistics, and industry in Sertão Central
Benefits returned to the population and municipalities through strengthening local production chains.
Roving seminars and regional workshop
Execution continues through 06 itinerant municipal seminars followed by 01 regional workshop consolidation — totaling 07 events —, acting as spaces for awareness-raising, training, institutional coordination, and collection of strategic information on the territory.
Mapping of local economic vocations
Identification of economic potentials by municipality.
Institutional coordination
Integration among municipal governments, state government, SEBRAE, ADECE, and the productive sector.
Economic intelligence
Development of territorial economic assessments.
Business generation
Productive connections and investment attraction.