Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 11 Jan – Brazilian state-owned energy firm Petrobras says its exports of ethanol alcohol fuel are set to rise this year from 50,000 cubic meters to 200,000/250,000 cubic meters.

Petrobras began exporting ethanol last year and its expected overseas sale of the fuel this year represent 10 percent of Brazil total exports of alcohol in 2004 of 2.5 million cubic meters.

Ethanol exports by Petrobras in 2006 to Venezuela, which adds alcohol to gasoline, are set to reach up to 130,000 cubic meters.

The Brazilian energy company is also negotiating with Nigeria for the export of up to 50,000 cubic meters of alcohol this year.

Petrobras is also creating a Japanese partnership to supply ethanol to the chemical and pharmaceutical industries in the Asian nation. (macauhub)