Rio, April 14, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - The Brazilian industrial sector regards the April/June quarter with optimism. According to the Conjunctural Sounding of the Manufacturing Industry, prepared by the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV), 53% of the 608 industrialists interviewed expect an increase in the overall demand for their products during this period, as against 10% who foresee a reduction.

With respect to foreign demand, 51% of the entrepreneurs project an increase, compared with 6% who anticipate a decline. This is the best result since 2000. In April, 2003, 31% of the industrialists included in the survey expected foreign demand to grow, while 12% entertained negative prospects.

As for domestic demand, the outlook of 54% of the interviewees is for expansion, as against 11% who forecast a curtailment.

When the perspective is extended to the next six months, the optimism remains elevated: 62% of the industrialists expect their business to improve, while only 5% think it will worsen.

Translator: David Silberstein