Brazil says tablet production will spur innovation

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) - July 29, 2011 Brazil has signed agreements with at least 10 companies that make tablets. One of them is with Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn, which is expected to start producing Apple Inc.'s iPads later this year in Brazil.

Science and Technology Minister Aloizio Mercadante said Thursday that the tablet production should lead to the production of touch-screen monitors and semiconductors.

Mercadante added that government tax breaks will attract semiconductor manufacturers to Brazil and make it the first nation in the Western Hemisphere to produce touch-screen monitors.