Brasília, May 28, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - From now on, various native fish species from the Amazon and the Pantanal flood plains are on the list of the Brazilian Export Promotion Agency (Apex-Brazil), linked to the Ministry of Development, Industry, and Foreign Trade. Through an agreement signed on Wednesday (26) between the Apex-Brazil and the Special Secretariat of Aquiculture and Fishing, the Brazilian government will invest over US$ 633 million (R$ 2 million) in publicity, exportation, and the opening of new markets for these fish.

The project aims to encourage small producers to enter the export market. Besides traditional consumer markets such as the United States, France, Spain, and Italy, the partnership intends to expand commercial relations with promising markets such as the Middle East, Japan, and China, by promoting rounds of business and participating in international fairs.

According to the president of Apex-Brazil, Juan Quiróz, the goal is to raise the volume of exports from the 33 thousand tons registered in 2003 to 50 thousand tons by the end of 2005.

"Nowadays Brazil possesses two big trademarks, Amazônia and the Pantanal. We shall energize these brands and stimulate demand for the country's native fish," Quiróz explained, underscoring that the growth in exports will involve around 70 companies and will make it possible to generate over 3,500 direct jobs in the sector.

The Secretary of Aquiculture and Fishing, José Fritsch, is optimistic about the parnership with Apex-Brazil, since Brazilian fish already conform to a high standard of quality and trackability, prerequisites for acceptance of the product on the most stringent markets. "Our native fish are of excellent quality, and those derived from aquiculture are bred without chemical additives or antibiotics."

In 2003, Brazil exported US$ 419 worth of fish and seafood, predominately shrimp, lobster, and tuna. With the project, the government wants to push the exportation of cultivated native freshwater fish, in addition to the species caught at sea. "Brazilian organic fish have all they need to conquer the world," Fritsch affirmed, observing that world demand for organic products has grown annually on the order of 12%.

Reporter: Maurício Cardoso
Translator: David Silberstein