Rio, November 19, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The president of Invest Brazil, Rudolph Hohn, and the state secretary of Planning, Élvio Gaspar, signed an agreement today to stimulate international market interest in business opportunties throughout the State of Rio de Janeiro. The agreement aims at attracting investments in the sectors of fashion and clothing, tourism, metal-mechanics, chemicals, furniture, telecommunications, science and technology, and ship-building.

Founded in 2002 for the purpose of attracting and retaining direct domestic and foreign investments, congruent with the country's socio-economic development projects and programs, Invest Brazil has, in its eight months' existence, concluded three transactions that will bring Brazil approximately US$ 1 billion in foreign funds in the areas of cellulose, steel-making, and electronic security. (DAS)