Brasília, 11 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Minister of Development, Industria and Foreign Trade, Sérgio Amaral, reports that there was a US$487 million trade surplus during the first two days of this week (July 8 and 9), with exports of US$894 million and imports of US$417 million. The cumulative trade surplus for the year is now US$3.149 billion.

According to Amaral, the two-day result "could be a sign that exporters have been holding back goods waiting for better prices, and are now moving them out." Amaral also mentioned the possible end of a strike by revenue-customs inspectors as a possible cause of the "anormal comportment" of exports. (AB)