The volume of Brazilian retail sales grew 0.4% in September this year, as against the previous month. The figures were disclosed on Friday (12) by the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics.

The statement was made by Finance minister Guido Mantega. According to him, lower interest rates should be motivated by the controlled inflation, lower public spending and subsidies through the BNDES.

Freeway, a maker of male shoes that is headquartered in Franca, São Paulo, is betting on Arab countries to boost exports in 2011. The brand is already present in Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and Oman.