Brazilian industrial conglomerate Grupo Votorantim is planning to invest BRL4.5bn (US$2.43bn) in its operations in 2010, the group said Tuesday in a press release.

By comparison, last year the group invested BRL4.2bn in its operations.

"The investment plan for the group is in line with favourable prospects for the Brazilian economy," said Jose Roberto Ermirio de Moraes, president of Votorantim Industrial, in a press release.