Rio, April 2, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - The director of the industrial area of the National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES), Fábio Erber, informed that there will be no limitations on the bank's resources for the programs announced by the institution as part of the new Brazilian industrial, technological, and foreign trade policy. The new industrial policy gives priority backing to the sectors of software, pharmaceuticals, and capital goods. "Whatever solicitations come and are approved will be met," Erber declared.

The BNDES foresees that the demand for these three programs in 2004 will come to US$ 34.6 million (R$ 100 million) in the area of software, US$ 173.01 million (R$ 500 million) for pharmaceuticals and related activities, and US$ 173.01 million (R$ 500 million) for capital goods. Besides these resources, the BNDES will allocate US$ 865 million (R$ 2.5 billion) to the Modermaq program, which was announced two weeks ago and will provide credit for the purchase of machinery and equipment.

Erber affirmed that the bank's budget this year is projected for US$ 16.3 billion (R$ 47.3 billion).

Translator: David Silberstein