# Opening of Pantanal Free Shop in Mato Grosso

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/opening-of-pantanal-free-shop-in-mato-grosso
> Updated: 2026-10-19T20:30:39.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

In early October 2026, the Brazilian conglomerate Grupo Cometa announced plans to expand its operations by opening the Pantanal Free Shop in Cáceres, Mato Grosso. The project, led by founder Francis Maris Cruz, was initially estimated to require an investment exceeding R$ 10 million.

On October 19, 2026, the facility officially inaugurated as the first duty-free establishment in the state. The final investment reached over R$ 20 million, creating 40 direct jobs. The 590-square-meter shop offers various product lines, including electronics, cosmetics, and fishing gear, with discounts of up to 50% enabled by a differentiated tax regime.

The establishment operates under the ‘Twin Cities Regime’ (Regime Cidades Gêmeas), a piece of state legislation that allows Cáceres to function as a land-based free shop due to its status as a twin city to San Matías, Bolivia. The project aims to stimulate the local economy by integrating shopping tourism with regional attractions such as fishing and gastronomy.

## Claims

- The Pantanal Free Shop in Cáceres required an investment of over R$ 20 million. (reported by 4 sources)
- The establishment created 40 direct jobs. (reported by 4 sources)
- The shop operates under state legislation 12.897/2025, which instituted the Twin Cities Regime. (reported by 4 sources)
- The store occupies an area of 590 square meters on Avenida São Luiz. (reported by 4 sources)
- The shop offers 12 different product lines. (reported by 4 sources)
- Cáceres is classified as a twin city to San Matías, Bolivia. (reported by 1 source)
- Products at the shop can have discounts of up to 50%. (reported by 1 source)
- Francis Maris is the owner of the Pantanal Free Shop and president of the Cáceres ZPE. (reported by 1 source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: Cáceres opens Mato Grosso's first free shop with R$ 20 million investment

Cáceres has opened the Pantanal Free Shop, Mato Grosso's first duty-free store, following a R$ 20 million investment and new state legislation enabling the Twin Cities Regime.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cceres-opens-mato-grossos-first-free-shop-with-r-20-million-investment

### 2026-10-03: Grupo Cometa to open Mato Grosso's first free shop

Grupo Cometa is investing over R$ 10 million to open the Pantanal Free Shop in Cáceres, Mato Grosso, marking the state's first land-based duty-free store to boost regional tourism.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/grupo-cometa-to-open-mato-grossos-first-free-shop

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Cite as: Opening of Pantanal Free Shop in Mato Grosso. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/opening-of-pantanal-free-shop-in-mato-grosso