Geneva (Switzerland), January 29, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The Minister of Development, Guido Mantega, told large international corporation executives gathered at UN headquarters in Geneva that Brazil needs the private sector in order to resume economic growth.

He said that the government doesn't have resources to take care of all the necessary investments, because it has to look out for the social area at the same time as it tends to fiscal adjustment. "We have no other alternative except to stimulate private investments," he pointed out.

According to the Minister, Brazil needs resources especially in the area of infrastructure, so that growth doesn't come up against bottlenecks in the future. "It is fundamental to increase investments in electric energy, petroleum, transportation, communications, and water resources," the Minister affirmed. (DAS)