Rio, May 7, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES) will increase its participation in the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), to finance joint South-American infrastructure operations that are of interest to two or more countries. Taking on this responsibility, the president of the bank, Carlos Lessa, said that the bank is also going to act as an institution involved in the South-American integration movement.

The vice-president of the BNDES, Darc Costa, declared that the infrastructure project connecting Argentina and Chile, through the Mendoza-Santiago railway, might receive financial support from the BNDES/CAF, especially if Brazilian machinery is included in the construction project.

For the BNDES, the purpose is fo strengthen South American integration, and Argentina is an important partner, Lessa declared, explaining that Argentina's economic problems should not constitute a factor getting in the way of this process. (DAS)