Rio, October 6, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - On Friday (3), speaking at a ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Petrobras, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reaffirmed that, by the end of his mandate, the country will attain self-sufficiency in petroleum. Between now and 2007, the state enterprise will invest US$ 34.3 billion, 57% of which will be derived from Petrobras's own funds.

Lula pointed out that the company, which currently meets slightly more than 80% of national demand, will invest in ordering ships, modernizing refineries and pipelines, building new petrochemical plants, and developing cutting-edge technologies and opportunities for employment and business transactions. (DAS)