Information Technology Exports fall 52% in 2002

03/18/2003 – Computer World

Data from (Abinee) Brazilian Association of Electro-electronic Industry reveal that Brazilian exports in the IT area fell 52% last year. They correspond to only US$121 million in the commercial balance in the electro-electronic sector. In a clear signal of the crisis, imports in the area were US$733 million, a decline of 29%, in relation to 2001 – US$1,038 million.

Billing in the IT area in 2002 was R$13,391 million. This represents a 9% drop in relation to 2001, when the sector amassed R$14,732 million. Likewise, in the telecom area, Abinee continues optimistic in relation to the information technology market and foresees a 12% growth for 2003- the same index is expected in the telecom sector.

The entity believes that Argentina’s economy- the main buyer of Brazilian IT products- will recover during 2003. With this, the sector can react in the export area.

The electro-electronics sector closed the year 2002 with a billing of R$56.3 billion, 3% less than 2201. The deficit in the commercial balance was US$5.8 billion. Exports corresponded to US4.3 billion and imports to US$10.1 billion.

Abinee believes that in 2003, the electro-electronics sector will reach, in total, a billing of R$62.5 billion. This represents an 11% growth in relation to 2002.