Strengthening the industrial sector is one of CNI's major commitments. The confederation runs services that orientate the actions of Brazilian industry in the direction of competitiveness of the sector and the development of the country.

One of the outstanding services is the support given to micro and small businesses which make up 95% of all Brazilian industries. Technological and entrepreneurial capacity building, modernizing management and qualifying the labor force are just some of the important services that CNI offers to this segment. For the benefit of small businesses, the confederation runs the Procompi, a program that provides support for the competitiveness of micro and small industries with a strategic action focus on Local Production Arrangements (APLs).

CNI also supports internationalization of Brazilian products in general as a way of increasing the economic growth of the country. Through the intermediation of the Brazilian Network of International Business Centers (CIN network), the confederation promotes international missions, technical cooperation and capacity building activities and business round tables with foreign companies, all aimed at promoting the introduction of Brazilian products abroad.