Brasília – Analysts of financial institutions approached by the Central Bank of Brazil have reduced their forecast for the growth of the economy this year. The estimate for expansion of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) dropped from 3.10% to 3.03%. For 2014, the estimate has been maintained at 3.5%.
The estimate for expansion of industrial production is still at 3% this year and was increased from 3.75% to 4% in 2014. Expectations for the exchange rate were maintained at one dollar going for R$ 2.00 late this year, whereas it has dropped from an estimated R$ 2.06 per dólar in late 2015 to R$ 2.05.
The forecast for the exchange surplus (positive difference between exports and imports) dropped from US$ 14.9 billion to US$ 14 billion this year, and rose from US$ 13.65 billion to US$ 14.5 billion in 2014. Expected foreign direct investment has been maintained at US$ 60 billion both in 2013 and next year.
*Translated by Mark Ament
