Nielmar de Oliveira
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Rio - The president of the National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES), Guido Mantega, affirmed on Friday (26) that the institution has earmarked US$ 2.6 billion exclusively for financing exports by Brazilian companies to eight South American countries. The objective is to promote the integration of regional infrastructure on the continent, one of the foreign policy priorities of Lula's Administration, Mantega emphasized.

Of this total, US$ 1.06 billion are for operations that have already been approved and contracted, such as exports of Brazilian goods and services to Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Venezuela. This year alone, according to the BNDES, US$ 400 million should be disbursed to finance Brazilian sales of turbines and valves for hydroelectric power plants, steel ducts for gas pipelines, control panels, railroad cars, and other products.

"We are collaborating with the development of other Latin American countries. We finance exports of goods and services that will permit the implantation of hydroelectric plants, gas pipelines, railroads, and highways in other countries with products manufactured in Brazil and financed by the BNDES. Including engineering projects. These pieces of equipment are made in Brazil and generate employment and income, as well as strengthening the activities of Brazilian companies abroad," Mantega commented.

Translation: David Silberstein