The Brazilian trade balance registered a surplus of US$ 1.693 billion on the first week of July, according to information released by Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.
Exports added up to US$ 3.5 billion between the 1st and 9th of July and imports US$ 1.8 billion. In the year, the trade balance has accumulated a surplus of US$ 21.226 billion.
Brazil exported in the first semester the equivalent to US$ 60.901 billion, 13.5% more than in the same period last year. Imports, in turn, added up to US$ 41.36 billion, an increase by 21.6%. The trade surplus in the first six months of 2006 was of US$ 19.541 billion.
In June, Brazilian exports alone yielded US$ 11.435 billion, an increase by 12% in comparison to the same month in 2005. Imports in turn, added up to US$ 7.353 billion in the month, 19% more than in June last year. The trade surplus in the month was of US$ 4.082 billion.
Optimism
The Brazilians are feeling more optimistic towards the economy’s performance. The National Rate of Consumers’ Expectations (INEC) reached 104.8 points in June.
The indicator, 4.8% above the 100.2 points registered in June last year, was driven by the positive perceptions of the population on inflation, income and employment.
Anba