Rio, 3/16/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Industrial output in the state of Rio Grande do Sul was up 11.3% in January, compared to January 2003. That was the fifth consecutive monthly rise. The strong performance was based on farming and farm machinery, and exports. For the month, Rio Grande do Sul led the government statistical bureau (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística) (IBGE) report on regional industrial production.

São Paulo also had its sixth consecutive month of increased industrial production. In January it rose 4.6%, compared to January 2003. (AB)