Brasília – In the first two months of the year, foreign direct investment (FDI) reached US$ 7.517 billion in Brazil, against US$ 9.051 billion in the same period in 2012. In February alone, the country received US$ 3.814 billion, according to figures disclosed by the Central Bank. The institution maintained the FDI investment forecast of US$ 65 billion for the year, which corresponds to 2.68% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The result is not enough to cover the negative balance of current account transactions, which should total US$ 67 billion this year. With regard to GDP, the negative balance will be 2.76%, as against 2.72% of the previous estimate.
Despite the growth of the negative balance in current account transactions, the head of the Economic Department of the BC, Tulio Maciel, emphasized that the main source for financing the deficit is still foreign direct investment. According to him, this kind of investment is best because it is incorporated to the productive activity, generating income and jobs. "But, naturally, loans and long term financing are always present,” he said.
The Central Bank’s projection for foreign investment in shares traded on the stock markets in Brazil and abroad rose from US$ 5 billion to US$ 10 billion. The estimate for investment in papers in the country remained at US$ 5 billion.
In the first two months, investment in shares was US$ 5.301 billion, against US$ 5.063 billion, in the first months of last year. In February, this investment reached US$ 1.985 billion.
*Translated by Mark Ament