Brasília, January 20, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The present of the Permanent Assembly of Agricultural Chambers of France, Luc Guyaun, met yesterday (19) with the secretary of Agricultural Policy of the Ministry of Agriculture, Ivan Wedekin, to discuss the productivity of Brazilian agrobusiness.

According to the secretary, the encounter can result in new business for Brazil. "The French were impressed by our production. This can attract many investments, especially for agricultural production." The points that stood out in the conversation were the high productivity and the economic inclusion of small producers. "We were able to show that this growth is based on productivity and that market agriculture does not receive government subsidies, unlike what occurs in France," Wedekin affirmed.

The European Union (EU) constitutes an important market for Brazil. 35-40% of all agrobusiness exports go to the EU. "Last year Brazil exported US$ 30.6 billion, and 37% of this total went to the EU," Wedekin pointed out. (DAS)