Rio, May 7, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES), will not make lines of credit available for Argentinian exports, but the Bank will open discussions with Argentina to create instruments to promote bilateral trade and identify projects that are of mutual and pluriannual interest, the president of the BNDES, Carlos Lessa, affirmed, yesterday (6), in Rio de Janeiro.

Lessa met, yesterday, at the bank's headquarters, with the Argentine Vice-Chancellor, Martin Redrado, and the two of them, following the instructions of President Lula, decided to create a work group to study ways to increase trade between the two countries. The bilateral work groups will begin to operate next week. (DAS)