Brasília – The estimated growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), i.e. the sum of the goods and services produced in the country has increased from 0.18% to 0.20% for 2009. For 2010, the growth estimate has been revised from 4.80% up to 4.83%.
The data were taken from the Focus bulletin, published on a weekly basis by the Brazilian Central Bank (BC), based on financial market projections for the main economic indicators.
With regard to industrial output, however, analysts have reduced their estimates. This week, the projection for 2009 is of a 7.70% reduction, as against 7.57% in the previous bulletin. For next year, the growth estimate has gone down from 6.50% to 6.05%.
According to the bulletin, the projection has not been revised for the public sector debt-to-GDP ratio, which remained at 44% for 2009 and 42% for 2010. The expected exchange rate for the dollar against the Brazilian currency (real) was also maintained at 1.70 real by the end of 2009, and 1.75 real by the end of 2010.
The trade surplus (exports minus imports) forecast for this year has been revised from US$ 26 billion down to US$ 25.5 billion. For 2010, analysts have also reduced their estimate, from US$ 16.250 billion to US$ 16 billion.
As for the current account deficit (transactions involving purchase and sale of goods and services with foreign countries) this year, analysts have not altered their estimate of US$ 16.9 billion. For 2010, the projection has been revised up from US$ 32 billion to US$ 33.250 billion.
The expected foreign direct investment (funds applied on the country’s productive sector) for 2009 was maintained at US$ 25 billion. For next year, the estimate has gone up from US$ 33 billion to US$ 35 billion.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
