Brasília – Financial market analysts surveyed by the Central Bank of Brazil have lowered their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth forecast for the sixth consecutive week. The GDP, which is the sum of all wealth produced in the country, is expected to grow by 3.16%, as against a previous estimate of 3.2%. The forecast for 2012 has remained stable at 3.5% for two weeks now.
The expected industrial production growth this year has dropped once again, from 1.83% to 1.55%. The estimate for 2012 has declined from 4.08% to 3.74%.
The net public sector debt-to-GDP ratio has been revised downward from 38.70% to 38.65% for 2011, and remains at 38% for 2012.
The dollar is expected to be equivalent to 1.75 Brazilian real by the end of 2011 and by the end of 2012. The expectation for the trade surplus (positive result for exports minus exports) has gone from US$ 27 billion to US$ 28 billion this year, and maintained at US$ 18.9 billion in 2012.
As for the current transaction deficit (purchase and sale of goods and services between Brazil and other countries), the estimate has been maintained at US$ 55 billion in 2011, and revised upwards from US$ 68.86 billion to US$ 68.63 billion for next year.
The expectation for Foreign Direct Investment (investment in the country’s productive sector) has been maintained at US$ 60 billion for this year and adjusted from US$ 53 billion to US$ 54 billion for 2012.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
