São Paulo, March 3, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday (2), the Minister of Communications, Eunício Oliveira, informed in São Paulo that the federal government should shortly announce a new industrial policy in the telecommunications sector. The new policy will be aimed at digital inclusion projects.

Representing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Oliveira took part in the morning in the opening ceremony of the 14th Telexpo 2004, an event at which 380 exhibitors will be gathered until Thursday (5) at the North Expocenter. In his speech the Minister emphasized the need for partnerships between the government and the private sector to ensure the success not only of the policy to care for less favored communities in society but also of the growth of the economy.

According to the Minister, when it comes to the telecenters, the expectation is to double their capacity to serve the population, raising to 240 thousand the number of electronic mail boxes through which people who don't have computers at home can receive and send electronic messages via e-mail. (DAS)