São Paulo, August 19, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The Minister of Development, Luiz Fernando Furlan, said that signs that the economy is resuming growth should appear by the end of the year. "Reversal of the curve will become visible in the last quarter," he declared on Monday (18).

When asked about the ideal interest rate, since the Economic Policy Committee (Copom) will announce the new level this Wednesday (20), Furlan didn't mention numbers, but he commented that the Administration is working towards the goal of reducing real interest rates, which are still in the two-digit category, to single figures.

At his meeting with representatives of the France-Brazil Chamber of Commerce, in the city of São Paulo, the Minister reiterated that exports constitute a priority of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's Administration and that measures to relieve the burden on exports are in the works, including simplification of bureaucratic procedures and the definition of infrastructure investments, which are being studied in the Pluriannual Plan (PPA).

He also cited the efforts of the Export Promotion Agency (Apex), which should spend around US$ 60 million this year to promote Brazilian products abroad. Furlan said that, in his research, during his trips abroad, he found that "people have become more aware of Brazil." The goal, he added, is to create a positive image of Brazilian products. Furlan believes that by the end of Lula's term in office, it will be possible, for example, to increase software exports from the existing level of a mere US$ 100 million to US$ 2 billion.

WTO MEETING IN MEXICO

Furlan, who will attend the meeting of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Cancún, Mexico, next month, calls for the end of subsidies that influence world export markets, as well as subsidies that block the entry of products and rules that make market access more difficult, to the detriment of consumers, "who frequently pay more for products of inferior quality."

The Minister said he is optimistic. "The 'atmosphere' has changed" since the last meeting in Montreal, Canada. He pointed out that Europe has managed to "unlock" the reform of the common agricultural policy. Another positive sign is the awareness on the part of countries like the United States and members of the European Union that, "if they refuse to be flexible, Cancún will be a fiasco." He concluded by saying that he expects "moderate progress and the creation of a positive agenda." (DAS)