Curitiba, March 3, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The US$ 507 million in exports from Paraná in January were 22% more than in January, 2003, when they registered US$ 415 million. Imports for the month came to US$ 248 million, according to information from the state government and the Federation of Industries of the State of Paraná (Fiep).

For the secretary of Industry, Trade, and Mercosur Affairs, Luis Mussi, the standout in January was the agricultural sector, with the sales of corn and wheat. Compared with January, 2003, sales of corn jumped from US$ 9.39 million to nearly US$ 52 million, and wheat, which Paraná imported until 2003, achieved sales of US$ 9.34 million.

According to the president of the Fiep, Rodrigo da Rocha Loures, exports of industrial products should also continue to grow. Foreign sales of these products amounted to US$ 297 million in January, representing a 31% increase in manufactured goods and an 11% increase in industrialized products in relation to January, 2003. "Exports of products with greater aggregated value lead to economic growth, with generation of jobs and income," Loures pointed out. (DAS)