Rio, 1/30/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The Companhia Vale do Rio Doce reports that it will invest US$1.8 billion this year, an increase of 22.1% over last year. According to the president of the company, Roger Agnelli, 66.2% of the total (US$1.202 billion) will be used to expand operations. He explains that implementing the investment projects will create 30,550 jobs, while the new operations will create 5,668 direct jobs. "We should also create an equal number of indirect jobs," says Agnelli.

Long range investment plans by the Vale do Rio Doce call for investments totalling US$7.5 billion between now and 2010. (AB)