Florianópolis, April 11, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday (10), the Governor of Santa Catarina, Luiz Henrique da Silveira (PMDB), received the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Brazil, Anwar Rabbuh, and other Arabian officials. "It is a beautiful state with much human warmth. We hope that the bridge between Brazil and Saudi Arabia extends beyond the export of poultry," the Ambassador emphasized, adding that Santa Catarina has great tourist potential.

Saudi Arabia is one of the largest importers of Brazilian poultry. In all, 30% of Brazilian poultry exports are sold to that country, a volume of business which amounted to over US$ 220 million in 2001. The Ambassador also underlined that Brazil is one of the largest importers of Saudi petroleum. In 2001 alone, the volume amounted to US$ 601 million. (DAS)