Rio, 12/26/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Flower production is expected to give the economy of the state of Rio a boost in 2004, creating 1,800 jobs, many of them on family farms. According to state authorities, some R$3 million will be invested in 150 projects as part of the Florescer program.

The Florescer program will invest in ornamental and medicinal plants, along with flowers. Growers will get low-interest loans.

It is estimated that worldwide, the sector has a US$50 billion turnover annually. In Brazil, it is worth some US$2 billion annually. At the moment, some 6,000 people in Rio work with flowers, in a sector with sales of around R$40 million annually. (AB)