Harley-Davidson Inc. has received approval to assemble motorcycles in Brazil. The Milwaukee company will import its U.S.-made components for assembly in Manaus, Brazil, an economic free-trade zone for motorcycle manufacturing and other industries. Harley-Davidson expects to begin assembling selected models of its motorcycles in Brazil in 1999. The final assembly operation will be a joint venture between Harley-Davidson Motor Co. and Paulo Izzo, Harley-Davidson's representative in Brazil. Harley-Davidson will maintain a majority interest in the venture. In 1997, Harley-Davidson made 132,285 motorcycles, but exported only 600 to Brazil.