In February, exports totalled US$ 16.733 billion and imports, US$ 15.534 billion. In the same month of 2010, the trade balance surplus was US$ 389 million.
Author: Agência Brasil
According to the World Travel Organisation, both countries are slowly recovering their capacity to receive tourists.
The public sector, including the federal, state and municipal governments, had a primary surplus of US$ 10.6 billion in January. In the same period last year, the surplus had been US$ 9.6 billion.
Protests in Libya caused fear on the financial market, causing appreciation of the barrel of oil. The Brent barrel reached its peak of US$ 119.79 on Thursday morning, in London.
The Central Bank posted profit of US$ 9.4 billion last year. The result is due to operations in reals, public papers, Treasury remuneration and compulsory deposits.
The state is changing its tax policy, starting on Thursday, to attract new industries to the interior of the state. The measure is part of the Paraná Competitivo programme.
Sixty percent of machinery bought by Brazilian factories is made abroad, according to information disclosed by the Brazilian Machinery Manufacturers Association.
Foreign direct investment in Brazil should reach US$ 7 billion in February, according to the Central Bank. This should be the largest inflow into the productive sector in the period.
Brazilians spent US$ 1.7 billion on international travels in January, according to figures disclosed by the Central Bank. This is the highest value since the bank started recording the total, in 1947.
The funds should enter the country over the next four years. BNDES president Luciano Coutinho said that, with this, the level of investment in the country should reach 23% of GDP.
Petrobras started operating in Benin, with the acquisition of half an oil exploration block. The objective is to find light oil.
The price of Brent oil rose 1.75% on Monday morning due to the instability in Libya. It has reached its highest price since the beginning of the economic crisis, in 2008.
In the third week of the month, with five working days, exports totalled US$ 4.542 billion and imports, US$ 3.965 billion.
The Ministry of Tourism hopes to increase the number of foreign tourists visiting Brazil by 30% by 2016, for the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
