Rio, May 26, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - The National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES) will enlarge its special agricultural credit line by US$ 157 million (R$ 500 million) to meet the sector's demand. This will raise the special line's available budget for the 2003/2004 crop year, ending June 30, to US$ 834 million (R$ 2.65 billion).

The BNDES informed that, through the beginning of May, the bank had disbursed US$ 651 million (R$ 2.07 billion).

According to the BNDES, credit furnished by the institution allowed 30% of the national tractor fleet to be renewed in four years. Modernization of the agricultural sector led the country to export 50% of the harvesters it produced.

Reporter: Alana Gandra
Translator: David Silberstein