Brasília – Brazil’s Central Government (National Treasury, Social Security and Central Bank) posted a R$ 10.4 billion (US$ 3.6 billion) primary surplus in January, the National Treasury Department has reported this Thursday (26th). The amount is down 20.2% from R$ 13 billion (US$ 4.5 billion) in January 2014, and the lowest surplus for January since 2009. In December, the primary surplus had reached R$ 1 billion (US$ 349.5 million).
The National Treasury achieved a R$ 16.197 billion (US$ 5.660 billion) surplus. The National Social Security Institute (INSS) ran a R$ 5.651 billion (US$ 1,975 billion) deficit, and the Central Bank had a R$ 140.5 million (US$ 49.1 million) deficit. The R$ 2.6 billion (US$ 908.7 million) decline in the Central Government’s primary surplus in January stemmed from lower net revenues and higher total spending, particularly on social welfare benefits, the Treasury has said.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
