Ana Paula Marra
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva once again declared that this year will be more promising than 2004, especially when it comes to new investments in the country. Speaking, yesterday (22), at a ceremony to sign the terms for the implantation of the Mining and Steel Pole of Corumbá, in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, the President said that, in the steel sector alone, between mining and steel production, US$ 25 billion will be invested in the next 25 years.

According to the President, Brazil ought to grow more than 5% this year. "We shall surprise people this year and grow more than 5%, once again. And create more jobs, once again," Lula affirmed. He recalled that last year witnessed the creation of the greatest number of new jobs since 1992 and that industrial production was the greatest since 1986.

The President asserted that the first and second years of a new Administration are always "very poor." "You only really get started in the third year. Any first-term mayor will discover this very, very quickly," he commented.

Translation: David Silberstein