So, it is important for market leaders in downstream industries to get into the game, rather than be spectators.

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The principal product is polyvinyl chloride resin, which is supplied to downstream subsidiaries to manufacture and market end-user industrial and consumer products.

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Unlike many of its competitors, Petrobras focuses on its domestic market, making its downstream operations key for its future.

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Chevron ( CVX) also fell 1% in the pre-market after issuing a warning of weakness in its downstream business last night.

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The least internationally mobile innovation, on the other hand, is the downstream sort, where big ideas are made suitable for a local market.

ECONOMIST: Economics focus: Venturesome consumption | The