Rio - A survey by the Economic Research Institute at the Getulio Vargas Foundation has found that businessmen in the industrial sector are less optimistic about next year, at least as far as their investment plans go. The survey asked 1,015 businessmen about their plans for new machinery and equipment for 2006. The result was that 38% said they would be making new investments. For the sake of comparison, the same survey for 2005 found that 52% of those interviewed said they had investment plans.

This the fourth consecutive year the survey has been conducted. This year's survey showed lower optimism in all the categories surveyed, compared to 2004. Even so, the vast majority of those interviewed remain positive. For example, in 2004, 83% said they expected more sales revenue. This year that number was 72% - down, but still high.

Translator: Allen Bennett