Brasília, November 18, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The weekly Focus survey of the Central Bank points to a new increase in financial market projections of inflation this year and in 2003. In the analysis of 100 economists and consultants, inflation as measured by the Broad Consumer Price Index (IPCA) will end the year at 9.39%, as against the 8.76% previously forecast. Inflation expected in 2003 also increased, from 9% to 9.81%.

For November, the current estimate of inflation as measured by the IPCA is 1.46%, compared with 1.12% in the previous survey. Estimates for December also increased, from 0.8% to 0.85%.

In the evaluation of the firms and consultants queried by the Central Bank, projections for growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased from 1.2% to 1.22% for 2002 and from 1.9% to 2% for 2003.

Forecasts for the net inflow of foreign investments in the country declined from US$ 15.150 billion to US$ 15 billion for this year and remained unchanged at US$ 13 billion for 2003. (DAS)