Brasília, November 14, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The minister of Planning, Budget, and Management, Guilherme Dias, announced changes today in the budget rules, to assure a more relaxed fiscal transition. The Ministry of Planning decided to move up the closing of Fiscal 2002 to December 15. "This will permit control over closing this year's accounts, to assure an orderly transition process," Guilherme Dias said.

The Ministry also decided to prohibit the publication of public notices of federal government purchases and services for amounts exceeding R$ 30 thousand (approximately US$ 8.3 thousand). According to Dias, the purpose of the measure is to allow the Executive to have all the numbers determined and settled for the execution of next year's budget. "Thus we create favorable conditions for the transition process," Dias said. (DAS)