Brasília - Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade, Luiz Fernando Furlan, says that a strong economy depends on two things: partnerships and investments in knowledge.

Furlan made his comment at the 25th Small Business Conference at the Ministry of Planning, Budget and Management. The principal topic of discussion at the conference was how to achieve digital inclusion in the small business sector where 25% of GDP is located and 70% of the jobs are. At the moment the sector has 563 computerized centers. The goal is to set up partnerships that will permit a total of 5,600 of the centers to be operational by the end of 2006.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Paulo La Salvia
Translator: Allen Bennett
08/11/2004