Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
20035-900 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ
Federative Republic of Brazil
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes _______ No___X____
Company interest in the Petrochemical Sector
(Rio de Janeiro, January 08, 2004). – PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S/A - PETROBRAS, [Bovespa: PETR3/PETR4, NYSE: PBR/PBRA, Latibex: XPBR/XPBRA], a Brazilian international energy company, announces that with respect to various reports in the press today, it is currently reviewing its strategic planning, which will consider a reformulation of its position in relation to the domestic petrochemical industry.
As part of this process and in line with its normal activities, which include the identification of new investment opportunities in the petrochemical sector as well as others in which it is active in Brazil and internationally, the Company has been in discussions with various petrochemical companies through its Petrobras Química S.A. – Petroquisa subsidiary. These discussions have resulted in exchanges of correspondence indicative of a preliminary, but non-binding, interest in the parties concerned. In relation to IPQ, such contacts have not resulted in any commitment to continue such exchanges, there being no negotiations in progress involving the latter company, or its controlling shareholders.
As part of its disclosure policy, Petrobras will make an announcement to the market as to any decision committing the Company to a new acquisition in either the domestic or the international market.
http: //www.petrobras.com.br/ri/english
Petróleo Brasileiro S.A – PETROBRAS
Investor
Relations Department
Raul Adalberto de Campos– Executive
Manager
E-mail: petroinvest@petrobras.com.br
Av.
República do Chile, 65 - 4th floor
20031-912 – Rio
de Janeiro, RJ
(55-21) 2534-1510 / 2534-9947
This document may contain forecasts that merely reflect the expectations of the Company’s management. Such terms as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “forecast”, “intend”, “plan”, “project”, “seek”, “should”, along with similar or analogous expressions, are used to identify such forecasts. These predictions evidently involve risks and uncertainties, whether foreseen or not by the Company. Therefore, the future results of operations may differ from current expectations, and readers must not base their expectations exclusively on the information presented herein.
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PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO
S.A--PETROBRAS | ||
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By: |
/S/ José Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo
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José Sergio Gabrielli de Azevedo
Chief Financial
Officer and Investor Relations Director
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This press release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on management's current view and estimates offuture economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results. The words "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "expects", "plans" and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the declaration or payment of dividends, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.