São Paulo, 7/25/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The executive secretary of the Foreign Trade Chamber (Camex), Mário Mugnaini Júnior, speaking at the American Chamber of Commerce in São Paulo, declared that in spite of the slowdown in world trade, there are opportunities for Brazil to boost exports by exploiting new market niches and making up for lost market share.

Mugnaini Junior pointed out that 15 years ago Brazil's share of total world trade was 1.5%, and today it has fallen to 0.9%. He said that "world class" big business installed in Brazil has the capacity to promote export growth even with a less favorable exchange rate.

He added that the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) has funding available for firms that want to expand abroad by setting up branches or distribution centers.

The executive secretary concluded his remarks by saying that there is still room for growth in the agrobusiness sector and that Brazilian negotiators will press hard to get the European Union to reduce farm subsidies at the next round of World Trade Organization talks in Mexico in September. (AB)