São Paulo - The executive vice president for Corporate Communication at Embraer (Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica), Horacio Aragonés Forjaz, says the firm's presence at the fifth China Air Show, was a success. "Crowned with success is the way to put it. We had a great exhibition and gained important visibility," he declared.

The China Air Show is one of Asia's biggest. Forjaz called the Chinese market "strategic," due to its strong growth and market potential.

Forjaz revealed that Embraer seeks joint ventures with the Chinese and has been able to close a deal with two Chinese firms. The Harbin Embraer Aircraft Industry (HEAI) was officially set up in February 2003, by Embaer and it partners, Harbin Aviation Industry (Group) Co., Ltd. and Hafei Aviation Industry Co., Ltd (which are controlled by AVIC II - China Aviation Industry Corporation II). The Chinese partners have 51% of the shares in the joint venture. HEAI will manufacture the Embraer regional aircraft ERJ 145 in China.

HEAI got its first order from China Southern Airlines in February 2004 for six ERJ 145s, which will be delivered by January 2005. They will join five other Embraer aircraft that have been flying in China as part of the Sichuan Airlines fleet since 2000.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Arthur Braga
Translator: Allen Bennett
11/15/2004