Expanding the development frontiers As one of the main axis of development in the country, Goiás has been attracting both medium and large-sized companies, of many different business areas automobile, agricultural machinery and tools, clothing, pharmaceutical and chemical, leather, and food processing. The State's industries are investing in technology, modernizing the industrial park, and diversifying production. In 2001, the private sector is expected to invest about US$ 500 million in the expansion of the productive capacity of Goiás. Over the past few years, approximately US$ 7 billion were invested in new enterprises such as Perdigão and Van den Berg (Gessy Lever), among othersgenerating 150,000 new job positions. Main industries Industry .................................................County Perdigão- poultry and pork........................ Rio Verde Mitsubishi automobile.............................. Catalão Cameco do Brasil (John Deere) machinery and tools ................................Catalão Van den Berg (Gessy Lever) tomato products...................................... Rio Verde RMB (Arisco) food processing.................. Goiânia Mabel food processing............................. Ap. de Goiânia Emegê wheat mill and pasta.................... Goiânia Persa Alimentos poultry and pork............. Cesarina Pharmaceutical and chemical Pole The country's third largest pharmaceutical and chemical pole is located in Goiás. There are currently 13 industries and 15 distribution companies operating in the sector, generating approximately 4,000 direct job positions. By 2005, it is expected that 10 more plants will be implemented in the State, and most of the existing plants have expansion projects. Approximately US$ 500 million in investments are expected by 2004. Besides the fiscal incentives granted by the government, the excellent location, and the existing infrastructure of the Agroindustrial District of Anápolis (DAIA), the pole offers a favorable environment for technological development, with a broad infrastructure for science, technology, and telecommunications. Main industries Halex Istar Laboratório Champion do Brasil Green Pharma Itafarma Laboratório Teuto do Brasil Neo Química Kinder e Ducto Novafarma Vitapan Clothing Manufacturing Pole As the country's second producer of cotton, Goiás is strengthening its position as one of the major representatives of the national textile sector. Nowadays, the State's clothing industry comprises over 4,000 companies that generate 60,000 direct job positions, and produce 8 million pieces per month. The State is currently the sixth major manufacturer of ready-to-wear clothing, and it is on its way to becoming the third. Its insertion in the Forum for the Development of the Textile Industry, an important federal incentive program, will enable Goiás to stimulate production, improve quality, augment clothing exports and generate new job positions for the sector. Besides the ready-to-wear clothing manufacturers, there are also four major textile plants installed here: Hering, Goiastêxtil, Malharia Manz, and Bouquet. Leather Processing Pole As the State's leather processing market expands, Goiás is exploring its existing potential in order to solidify its participation in this sector. One of the country's most productive agroindustrial complexes, the State's leather processing pole is located in Senador Canedo, nearby Goiânia. One of the nation's most important names in the cattle raising segment, Goiás has over 30 medium and large-sized meat packing plants that provide the raw material needed for the full development of the leather processing industries. Shoe Manufacturing Pole Goiás is now the site for a new industrial pole, concentrating shoe and leather accessories industries. Located in Goianira, at 22 km northwest of the State's capital, the pole occupies 15 hectares and is prepared to receive about 30 industries. Several plants are under construction. Besides the good infrastructure, the companies may count on a strong ally: Senador Canedo's leather processing pole, which will be able to supply leather ready to be used in the production of shoes and accessories, thus lowering the cost of raw material.