Setoreschave

Setoreschave is a framework used in economic planning to identify and support sectors deemed critical for a region's growth and resilience. The term combines the Portuguese words setores (sectors) and chave (key). It designates a prioritized set of industries selected for their productivity potential, intersector linkages, and ability to generate spillover effects.

Identification and criteria: Sectors are chosen using criteria such as economic weight, potential productivity gains, strategic relevance to policy goals, employment impact, export potential, and innovation capacity. Analysts employ methods like input-output analysis, value-chain mapping, comparative advantage, scenario planning, and stakeholder consultation to define Setoreschave.

Policy instruments and implementation: Identified sectors guide policy design. Instruments include targeted investments, tax incentives, public procurement preferences, workforce training, R&D support, and infrastructure improvements. Effective implementation requires cross-ministerial coordination and ongoing dialogue with private firms; periodic reviews keep the set aligned with changes in technology and demand.

Applications and examples: Setoreschave informs regional development plans and export promotion strategies. Commonly highlighted sectors include renewable energy technologies, advanced manufacturing and robotics, information and communication technology, logistics, agribusiness, and health tech. The composition varies by country and over time.

Criticism and limitations: Critics warn that focusing on a fixed set may overlook emergent sectors, reduce diversification, or foster policy capture. Regular reassessment, transparent criteria, and safeguards against misallocation are recommended to mitigate these risks.

See also: industrial policy; strategic sector; value chain analysis; resilience.