Brasília, February 19, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - At a meeting yesterday (18) in the Planalto Palace, the governor of Espírito Santo, Paulo Hartung, presented President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a Nestle proposal to reduce its market share so as to assure its merger with the Garoto company and reverse the decision of the Administrative Council for Economic Protection (Cade). "The proposal can enable an agreement, which is much better than conflict and a judicial dispute, which can drag on for years and once again create an impasse concerning the future of Garoto," he argued.

Hartung said that he did not request President Lula to get involved in the case.

According to the governor, the idea is to open a space for dialogue, so that negotiations between Nestle and the Cade can be intensified. "The idea is to carry on a debate without intervention, but with the government interested in the evolution of negotiations between the parties. It is not necessary to revise the Cade's decision. What I came to propose is a negotiation," he affirmed.

He emphasized the importance of these companies for Espírito Santo, especially in the generation of employment and in the economy of the state. (DAS)