Brasília, July 5, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - At a luncheon sponsored by the Association of Brokerage Firms, Friday (2), in São Paulo, the Minister of Development, Luiz Fernando Furlan, affirmed that 2003 was the year of exports and that 2004 is the year of industrial policy and development. He pointed out that the keynotes of industrial policy are modernization, innovation, and technological development.

"There is nothing wrong with our being world champion in soybeans, meat, sugar, orange juice, and many other products, but we also have to invest in innovation, diversification, and added value, and, most of all, we have to fight for space in the new economy," the Minister said.

Along these lines, he recalled that one of the government's goals is to export US$ billion in informatics services and software programs by 2007. "This represents a tiny share of world trade, but it can generate 60 thousand high-paying jobs in Brazil."

"We are very poor in communication and zero in marketing," Furlan declared, referring to trade promotion.

According to him, Brazil has a likable image abroad, that of a relaxed population that enjoys the beach, has good music, adores soccer, and drinks small cups of coffee several times a day. "To use an old expression, it's a nifty image, but when you think about other countries, what comes to mind?" he asked.

The Minister recalled that Germany is not associated with beer drinkers, but with technology. By the same token, Japan is not associated with geishas and sake, but with technology, creativity, and efficiency. When Italy is referred to, fashion, design, and creativity come to mind, he added.

"We need to discover our vocation. We are a nation that possesses creativity, design, fashion, and technology. Brazil is capable of being a leader in biotechnology. But the world is unaware of what we do," he concluded.

Translator: David Silberstein