Brasília, February 27, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The daily average of goods imported by Brazil increased 11.7% in the third week of February, in relation to the same period last year. Data from the Secretariat of Foreign Trade (Secex) reveal that goods bought abroad rose from US$ 194.3 million to US$ 217 million.

In relation to February, 2003, this result mostly reflects the increase in purchases of fertilizers (141.1%), aircraft and parts (48.2%), pharmaceutical products (35.5%), steel (32.8%), organic and inorganic chemicals (25.6%), optical and precision equipment (23.6%), and plastics (14%). So far this year imports amount to US$ 7.467 billion. (DAS)