Florianópolis, 2/11/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - A commission from the German Financial Cooperation Agency (KFW) has a meeting today with the president of the Environment Foundation (Fatma), Sergio Grando, and the governor of Santa Catarina, Luiz Henrique da Silveira (PMDB), where they will present a cooperation project worth R$23 million to be used to preserve and protect the Atlantic rainforest in the state of Santa Catarina, which will put up a counterpart of R$15.7 million.

Under the agreement, Fatma will execute the project, implanting and managing conservation units, inspecting, licensing and monitoring the environment. Fatma will work together with the state Secretariat of Urban Development and Environment, the Environment Police, the state Committee for the Biosphere Reserve and local authorities. (AB)