Rio, 3/16/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Yesterday minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Luiz Fernando Furlan, met with leaders of the business community at the Rio de Janeiro Industrial Federation (Firjan). Among the proposals discussed was the transformation of the Galeão International Airport into an industrial airport because it is underused.

Also discussed was a pilot project budget of R$40 million for local production in five states, including Rio; the expansion of the standards bureau (inmetro); modernizing and restructuring of the National Institute of Intellectual Property; and the expansion of information technology production. (AB)