Country invests US$ 9.4 mi to increase alcohol exportation
Folha de S. Paulo - 02/26/2008
With an investment of R$ 16.5 million (US$ 9.4 million) for the promotion of the Brazilian alcohol overseas, Apex-Brazil (Brazilian Export and Investment Promotion Agency) and Unica (Sugarcane Agroindustry Union) intend to make the exports of the product take off. The project, whose expenditures will be made until the end of 2009, intends to promote the image of the sugarcane alcohol as a kind of clean and renewable energy in the countries of North America (the United States), Europe (Germany, Spain, France, Sweden and the United Kingdom), and Asia. Notwithstanding the Minister of Development Miguel Jorge has pointed out the President Lula's efforts in promoting the product last year - such as during his visit to Sweden and in the reception to US president George W. Bush -, alcohol exportations fell 14% in 2007, down to 3.2 billion liters. Among the expected initiatives abroad, there are the opening of two offices (one in Belgium and one in Asian country, in addition to the already existing US one), and the participation in events of the sector. In Brazil, there will be studies for the certification processes of alcohol plants and analysis of the regulations in force and of the tariff barriers. "This agreement will be the base to show Brazil as a country with a renewable and inexpensive fuel, and that protects the Amazon forest", said Miguel Jorge.