Brasília, 12/2/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Imports of Brazilian goods by Mercosur countries, especially Argentina, and countries in Asia, mainly China, gave Brazilian exports a big boost this year. Although the United States remains the biggest importer of Brazilian goods, it was in Mercosur and Asia that growth in foreign trade occurred.

According to numbers from the secretariat of Foreign Trade, sales to Mercosur rose 69.4%, compared to 2002; and 33.7% for Asia. In China there was an increase of imports from Brazil of over 81%, while in Argentina they rose 94%. (AB)