Rio, May 2, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The operational results of the National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES) in the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2002 came to R$ 1.545 billion, with net profits of R$ 550 million. These figures were announced by the bank's Financial Director, Roberto Thimóteo da Costa.

In 2001, the bank's net profits totalled R$ 802 million. For the period 1996/2002, the BNDES's cumulative net profits were R$ 5.497 billion, of which R$ 3.103 billion were distributed as dividends.

The total assets of the BNDES system in 2002 amounted to R$ 151 billion, corresponding to a 33.9% increase for the period. (DAS)