Locaweb embarks on international expansion plan

Brazilian data storage company Locaweb expects international sales to account for 5% of overall revenues within three years, online news source Baguete quoted the company's corporate development director, Celso Nunes, as saying.

This comes after Locaweb disclosed plans to invest US$1mn to open a technical center in Miami and a support and service center in Montevideo.

"The Latin American hosted services market lacks local providers... consequently, we identified an opportunity to take our experience outside of Brazil," Nunes said.

In 2008 Locaweb posted revenues of 102mn reais (US$56.1mn), which are expected to increase roughly 36.7% this year. The firm, which has more than 196,000 clients, currently controls 21.8% of the Brazilian market share in hosting.

Brazilian press reported earlier this month that Locaweb will invest 35mn reais by the end of this year to expand infrastructure and improve services.

Nunes said part of the funds will be channeled towards the completion of the company's new data center.

Publication: Business News Americas - English News
Provider: Business News Americas
September 22, 2009

Anglo Ferrous granted right to mine at Pedra Branca do Amapari

Brazil's minerals production department (DNPM) has officially given multinational miner Anglo American (LSX: AAL), through its Anglo Ferrous Brazil subsidiary, possession of iron ore mines in Pedra Branca do Amapari, Amapá state, DNPM said.
The document gives Anglo Ferrous the right to process iron ore in the Pedra Branca do Amapari district. The mines in question are part of the Amapá iron ore system.

The approval is an important step in the consolidation of activities regarding Pedra Branca mineral reserves, according to the director of Anglo Ferrous' Amapá iron ore system, José Luiz Martins.

"This gives us the security to continue investing in Amapá and therefore increase iron ore production in the state," Martins was quoted as saying by local press.

Anglo American took control of the Amapá system when it purchased Brazilian miner MMX's IronX division in August 2008.

Publication: Business News Americas - English News
Provider: Business News Americas
September 1, 2009