Brasília, January 19, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - For the purpose of expanding trade and discussing quotas imposed by Russia on Brazilian meat products, the Ministers of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply, Roberto Rodrigues, and of Development, Industry, and Foreign Trade, Luiz Fernando Furlan, begin, today, a series of meetings in Moscow with various Russian officials.

Furlan will be received by Vice-Premier Boris Alioshin; Minister of Policies to Combat Monopoly and Support Entrepreneurial Activity, Ilia Yujanov; Chief Minister of Administration, Igor Shuvalov; and Minister of Economic Development and Trade, German Gref. "We shall reaffirm President Lula's guideline to place priority on the relationship with Russia," the Brazilian Minister recalled, citing petrochemicals, heavy industry, aerospace, genetics, and managerial systems as some of the areas which present opportunities for investments and joint ventures. "Over a period of 15 years, we hope that the volume of bilateral investments attains US$ 40-50 billion," Furlan said. (DAS)