Barbados considers Brazilian ethanol plant

The Associated Press
Published: August 20, 2008

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Brazil is partnering with a Barbados businessman in a proposal to build a US$36 million ethanol plant near the capital.
Etanol de Costa Rica SA says the plant would produce about 132 million gallons (500 million liters) of ethanol a year, refining ethanol imported from Brazil. Spokesman Fabio Chazyn says the fuel would be sold to the U.S. 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.