razilian machinery and equipments exports yielded US$ 2.174 billion in the first quarter, an increase in 10% in comparison to the US$ 1.977 billion of the same period last year.
The information comes from the Brazilian Machinery Manufacturers Association (Abimaq).
The main markets for Brazilian capital goods in the period were the United States (30.4%), Argentina (12.6%) and Germany (6.24%).
On the other hand, always according to Abimaq, Brazil imported the equivalent to US$ 1.4 billion in machinery and equipment in the first quarter of 2006, against US$ 1.2 billion in the same period last year, an increase in 22%. The main suppliers were the United States (29%), Germany (19%) and Japan (19%).
In spite of the increase in exports, the sector’s revenues dropped from US$ 6.0 billion to US$ 5.8 billion in the quarter. At the same time, there was a drop in 0.4% in the number of jobs in this segment.
Roullier Expands
Roullier Brazil is going to invest US$ 8.5 million in the modernization of their industrial unit in Brazil, which is in the city of Rio Grande, in the southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul. The company is a French multinational that makes goods like fertilizers and hygiene products.
The company is going to install an industrial unit to mix NPK, a kind of fertilizer, and mineral salts, with a capacity for production of 100,000 tons a year.
A warehouse will also be built to increase the storage capacity. This information was supplied by a spokesperson for the government of the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
Anba