São Paulo - In a discourse, yesterday (27), at the opening of the 1st Seminar on International Opportunities and Business, in Ribeirão Preto, in the interior of the state of São Paulo, the Minister of Agriculture, Roberto Rodrigues, underlined the importance of the agroindustrial sector to Brazil's economy, through the generation of internal wealth, jobs, and export earnings. The Minister informed that agribusiness represents 33% of the country's wealth and 43% of its export income.

The seminar, sponsored by the Ribeirão Preto municipal government, is aimed at increasing investments in the region. Among the topics under debate are the international agreements signed by the government and their impact on the sector. Ribeirão Preto is one of the state's leading regions in the production of sugar and sugar subproducts, grains, coffee, and agricultural machinery.

Also attending the meeting is the ex-President of Argentina, Eduardo Duhalde, current president of the Permanent Commission of Mercosur countries.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Paulo Montoia
Translator: David Silberstein
07/28/2004