Mexico City (Mexico), September 26, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Health and technology are the areas that will receive greatest attention in the agreements to be signed between Brazil and Cuba, during President Lula's visit to Havana. The Minister of Development, Industry, and Foreign Trade, Luiz Fernando Furlan, said that, in the sphere of his Ministry, Brazil can transfer technology to Cuba in the areas of sugarcane and the production of carburant alcohol. In his view, the goal is to open a market for the consumption of alcohol mixed with gasoline and, at the same time, establish a platform, however small, to export anhydrous alcohol from Cuba to other countries.

The Minister revealed that understandings are underway for partnerships in the areas of fruit juices, bus construction (between Buscar and the Cuban enterprise Unecamoto), and tobacco (through the Souza Cruz company, which manufactures cigarettes for domestic and foreign markets).

In the health area, Minister Humberto Costa said that the two countries will discuss matters related to the transfer of technology for the production of vaccines, medications, and immuno-biological substances. The Minister disclosed that several agreements should be reached in the area of human resources, particularly with respect to Brazilian professionals educated in Cuba and Cuban physicians who reside in Brazil and who are attempting to practice their profession. (DAS)