Net non-operating income was R$111.2 million in 2000 compared to a non-operating expense of R$37.7 million in 1999. The non-operating income in 2000 was mainly attributable to the sale of minority interests in our satellite business, which resulted in a gain of R$132.2 million. We also received equity income from international consortia in the amount of R$10.4 million compared to R$19.7 million in 1999. This income was offset by expenses from losses on disposals of assets of R$44.8 million (net of proceeds from disposal) and other non-operating expenses of R$23.8 million.

For 1999, we had non-operating losses on disposals of fixed assets of R$50.5 million (net of disposal proceeds) offset by gains on our investments in international partnerships resulting in the total net non-operating expense of R$37.7 million. Net non-operating expense in 1998 was offset in part by R$27.5 million in equity in earnings of two international partnerships. R$78.6 million was attributable to miscellaneous other write-offs and losses on disposals (net of the related disposal proceeds) and R$20.5 million in sponsorships of cultural events such as Lei Rouanet, which was enacted to foster cultural events in Brazil and allow companies to net income tax payable against such disbursements with sponsorships under certain limits.