A concrete result of the Brazil-Cental American and Caribbean Integration System (SICA) summit in Guatemala is interest in Brazil’s sugarcane-based ethanol fuel and cars that can use more than one type of fuel (gasoline, ethanol, natural gas) reports Mário Vilalva, director of the Foreign Ministry’s Commercial Promotion Department.
He adds that Brazil and SICA have found that there is a convergence of needs and resources that can be exploited for the mutual benefit of all.
“Central America and the Caribbean are producers of sugar who are being crushed by high petroleum prices. They are interested in alleviating this situation through a program similar to what Brazil has – make ethanol fuel from sugar,” says Vilalva, adding that Brazil can transfer ethanol technology, export plants and even ethanol fuel.
At the same time the region is interested in hybrid cars (flex fuel, as they are called in Brazil). There will be an immediate demand for these cars, says Vilalva.
“Honduras is ready to begin importing right now,” he says. And as the region does not manufacture vehicles, it is just a question of reaching an import agreement, reports Vilalva.
ABr