Rio - The Rio de Janeiro State Federation of Industries (Firjan) is commemorating the structural changes that have occurred in recent years, leading to the diversification of the state's export portfolio. After beginning 2000 with crude oil and natural gas as the major items on its list, Rio is already exporting more and more semi-manufactured and manufactured products, informed the head of the Firjan's Economic Research department, Luciana Marques de Sá.

"In the past two years there has been a structural change, which has raised the state's exports significantly. Beginning in 2000, we became strong in crude oil and natural gas exports. And beginning in 2002, there has been a growing tendency to export semi-manufactured and manufactured products - indicating greater diversity in the export portfolio. The outstanding performers are automobiles, trucks, and buses, which are establishing themselves among the state's five major export products, with strong growth as well in the last 12 months and this year."

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Nielmar de Oliveira
Translator: David Silberstein
08/25/2004