Brasília – President Dilma Rousseff said on Thursday (27) that she is doing “all that is possible and even what is impossible” for growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to be as high as possible next year. To her, the rebound of the global economy, mainly that of the United States and China, should benefit Brazil. Dilma added that she does not plan to make changes in the Ministry of Finance. “Mantega [Guido Mantega] has no chance of leaving my cabinet, unless he wants to.”
“The year of 2013 will have a better environment, which should also be good for Brazil. But we are an economy that may progress on its own feet,” said the president, during a breakfast with journalists. “Brazil has to grow sustainably and continually, with a high grade of sustainability. This was the year to seek competitiveness. This is something we must do permanently from now on, but the starting kick has been given,” she added.
Among the measures that resulted in these conditions, Dilma listed lower interest rates, “more realistic” exchange rates and heavy investment in infrastructure. However, she insistently called for lower tax burden and changes in the tax structure which, according to her, must become more rational.
*Translated by Mark Ament
