Brazilian Ethanol Seeks Market in the United States, Mexico and Guatemala

SAO PAULO, Brazil, April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- FMC will be launching the Bioenergy Alliance (BEA) in Miami, an important event starting April 6 that will gather together leading businessman and political figures in ethanol from the Americas on a tour through the United States, Mexico and Guatemala. The event seeks to strengthen the actions and initiatives of its clients in the international ethanol market. A major challenge to be met in this regard is the definitive designation of ethanol as a commodity, a fundamental step for conquering new markets.

The first panel will take place in Miami on Sunday, April 6, at 4:00 p.m. Among important politicians and businessmen present will be the founders of the Inter-American Ethanol Commission, Jeb Bush and former minister of agriculture of Brazil, Roberto Rodrigues. The panel will address Brazil-U.S. relations and their potential future development. Also in attendance will be Petrobras, factory owners, sugarcane growers and Brazilian businessmen from the sector.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), author of several studies on opportunities in ethanol, will also be present. Roberto Rodrigues will present Brazilian expectations in the area, above all the importance of opening markets, one of Brazil's objectives. Although Brazil produces close to 40% of world ethanol, it exports only 13% of production. Following the first panel in Miami, the group will travel to Mexico City for the second day of the event, which will address opportunities for ethanol in the context of NAFTA, and then move on to Guatemala.

The initiative of the FMC, an agricultural products company with US$ 326 million in revenue in 2007 (Brazil), will involve the largest two ethanol producers and technology leaders of the world, Brazil and the United States, which account for 85% of world ethanol production. The Bioenergy Alliance will address not only the question of investment and trade opportunities between the two ethanol leaders, but also possibilities for business expansion of the sugar alcohol sector to Mexico and other countries in Central America. The event will take place over the course of a week in Miami, Mexico City and Guatemala City.

    Date: April 6, 2008 at 4:00 p.m.
    Place: Trump International Beach Resort
    Miami - Sunny Isles - Trump Resort 18001 Collins Avenue
    Sunny Isles Beach, FL, 33160
    Hotel phone 305.692.5600
    http://www.trumpmiami.com/index47383.htm

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