Brasília, October 22, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Six of 18 industry sectors surveyed are very optimistic about foreign market prospects. This information comes from the Industry Probe report, released today by the National Industrial Confederation (CNI).

The data were gathered in 19 states from 1,225 small and medium, and 260 large, companies, between September 23 and October 16. The survey, conducted by the Economic Policy Unit of the CNI, reveals industrial entrepreneurs' expectations for the next six months with respect to receipts, exports, number of employees, and raw material purchases, as well as conveying industrialists' opinions on the Brazilian economy in the last quarter. (DAS)