Rio, 7/13/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The executive secretary of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Maria das Graças Foster, says that the Brazilian government is hard at work to transform the country into a significant exporter of its sugarcane-based fuel [which is actually a form of ethanol, but is called "alcohol" in Brazil]. At the same time an effort is being made to increase the domestic use of the product, she reports.

"At the last world conference on petroleum, which took place in Germany, it was clear that our sugarcane-based fuel is an attractive trade product for Brazil. The country is seen as a supplier, a big potential exporter, one that is preferred by large nations who face the task of diversifying their energy sources," declared Foster.

Translator: Allen Bennett