Brasília - The chancellors of the member and associated countries of the Mercosur concluded negotiations with India and the South African Customs Union (Sacu) to reduce trade barriers, before the Summit Meeting of Heads of State in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, today.

The agreement concluded with the African countries includes 2000 items involving three levels of tariff redutions. on three levels: 20%, 50%, and 100%. With India the agreement covers 900 items which will be negotiated with excise rates varying between 10% and 100%. "We have a sense that the Mercosur is strong. We have problems. Normal growth problems," observed the Minister of Foreign Relations, Celso Amorim.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Gabriela Guerreiro
Translator: David Silberstein
12/17/2004