Rio - The president of the National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES), Carlos Lessa, and his vice-president, Darc da Costa, had lunch today with the President of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez. Chavez arrived in Brazil this morning to participate in the 18th Meeting of Heads of State and Government of the Rio Group, which is formed by 19 countries from South and Central America and the South Caribbean.

Lessa and Chavez's lunchtime conversation had to do with BNDES investments in Venezuela. According to the BNDES press office, the bank offered the Venezuelan government a R$ 1 billion credit line for the importation of Brazilian goods and services. The BNDES is currently financing the construction of a subway line in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. The project is being executed by Brazilian firms.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Aécio Amado
Translator: David Silberstein
11/04/2004