Brazil is partnering with a Barbados businessman in a proposal to build a US$36 million ethanol plant near the capital of Bridgetown.

Etanol de Costa Rica SA said the plant would produce about 132 million gallons (500 million litres) of dry ethanol a year, refining ethanol imported from Brazil.

Spokesman Fabio Chazyn said the fuel would be sold to the United States through Caribbean duty-free concessions not available to Brazil.

Planning officials are reviewing the proposal. Chazyn said Monday that if approved, construction could start in about five months.

Other Brazilian energy companies are investing in the Caribbean. Infinity Bio-Energy is boosting its ethanol production with help from Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

Taken from the Financial Gleaner, Friday August 22, 2008.