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Brazil's trade balance registered a US$ 292 million surplus in the third week of January, from January 17-23. With this result, the surplus comes to US$ 1.208 billion so far this year.
In the third week of January, exports amounted to US$ 1.560 billion, for an average daily quantum of US$ 312 million. Imports totaled US$ 1.268 billion, for an average daily quantum of US$ 253.6 million.
The cumulative sum of exports for the year is US$ 5.137 billion, for a average daily total of US$ 342.5 million, while the cumulative sum of imports is US$ 3.929 billion, for a average daily total of US$ 261.9 million.
The tendency continues for imports to grow more than exports, in comparison with 2004. While sales abroad increased 24% through the third week of the month, purchases were up 30.5%.
The president of the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), Armando Monteiro Neto, affirmed last month that Brazil has reencountered economic growth, after years of "marasmus."
He pointed out that the sector responsible for levering development was the construction industry, which was practically stagnant and gained renewed energy with the resumption of investment. The projected growth of the sector for 2005 is 5.8%.
The president of the CNI optimistically observed that the secondary sector obtained results superior to the average rate of growth as a result of a joint effort with the federal government, which created an environment favorable to investments.
"Inflation is under control, the trend in government accounts is healthy, and external vulnerability declined with the trade balance surplus," Monteiro remarked.
According to the president of the CNI, now the challenge for maintaining the development indices is to implement such measures as lowering the Industrial Products Tax (IPI) on machinery and equipment, shortening the period for recompensing Social Security Finance Contribution (Cofins) credits, and stimulating investments.
Agência Brasil
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