São Paulo (June 8) - The executive secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Services Fernando Furlan, attended on Wednesday the opening of the 27th Brazilian Steel Congress, which brings together key industry executives.

According to Furlan, the steel industry will benefit from new trade agreements that have been signed by the MDIC. In the automotive sector, in 2015 the Brazil renegotiated agreements with Argentina, Mexico and Uruguay; and entered into a new agreement with Colombia. In 2016, Brazil is renegotiating agreement with Argentina and negotiating new agreement with Paraguay.

"Exports are one of the solutions to the crisis and the steel industry, which sold 40% more in volume abroad in 2015, have responded to this call," Furlan said.

In a situation of retraction of the domestic market, the outer channel has become an important alternative for the continuation of production. Thus, 2015 ended with exports of 409,000 vehicles to grow 11.8% over the previous year. Already from January to April 2016, vehicle exports grew 52.5% in volume, to add 109,000 units sold.

In May 2016, Brazil and Peru signed the Economic and Trade Expansion Agreement. It is bilateral, that is, negotiated without the Mercosur countries, because it is negotiating non-tariff issues, which is allowed by the rules of the block. The agreement provides for the advance of free trade for passenger vehicles and pickup trucks.

Brazil also signed Cooperation Agreements and Investment Facilitation (ACFI) with Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Angola, Mozambique and Malawi.

8 June 2016