Brasília, 12/22/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has launched a program to modernize Brazil's truck fleet (Programa de Modernização da Frota de Caminhões) (Modercarga). The program will have a R$2 billion budget for the next twelve months which will be used to finance new or replacement vehicles or parts. Loans under the program will charge interest of 17%. The money is from the Workers Assistance Fund (FAT), through the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES). (AB)