Brasília – Financial market analysts polled by the Brazilian Central Bank have maintained, for the second week in a row, their economic growth projection for this year. The estimated rate of growth for the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which is the sum of all goods and services produced in the country, remains at 7.2%, according to the Focus bulletin, issued by the Central Bank today (19th).
For 2011, the GDP growth rate projection of 4.5% has remained unchanged, for the 32nd consecutive week.
In addition to the GDP growth estimate, the Focus bulletin informs the expected industrial production, which should increase by 12.12% this year, as against a 11.91% forecast in last week’s bulletin. The industrial production growth rate forecast for next year has been maintained at 5%.
The net public sector debt-to-GDP ratio projection has been revised from 40.85% to 40.9%, in 2010, and from 39.5% to 39.7%, in 2011.
The expected dollar-to-real exchange rate remains 1.80 Brazilian real for US$ 1, this year, and 1.85 real for US$ 1, in 2011.
The expected trade surplus figure (positive result for exports minus imports) has been revised from US$ 15.71 billion to US$ 16 billion, this year, and from US$ 7.83 billion to US$ 7.81 billion, in 2011.
The forecast for this year’s current transaction deficit (goods and services purchase and sale transactions between Brazil and foreign countries) has been revised from US$ 47.23 billion to US$ 47.46 billion. For 2011, the deficit projection has gone from US$ 58 billion to US$ 60 billion.
The expected foreign direct investment (funds that go into the country’s productive sector) has gone from US$ 34.65 billion to US$ 34.30 billion, this year. For 2011, the projection has been maintained at US$ 40 billion.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
