Brasília, January 28, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday (27), President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva assured entrepreneurs interested in investing in Brazil that they will not be deceived, nor will they face unpleasant economic surprises. Lula was the guest of honor at a business meeting in New Delhi with around 300 Brazilian and Indian entrepreneurs.

The President affirmed that Brazil is stablizing the economy without any miraculous plan. The country risk premium, he observed, fell from 2,400 points, at the time of his election, to its current level of 400 points, and forecasts of inflation dropped from 40%, before he took office, to 6% this year. Lula guaranteed that the country is, therefore, ready to resume growth.

Among the nascent opportunities, the President underlined the area of infrastructure, especially the transportation sector. Trade between Brazil and India currently amounts to US$ 1.2 billion. But this volume is expected to grow to US$ 3 billion in the next five years. (DAS)