Washington, 6/23/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - During his visit to the United States, president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, Horst Kohler.

"Without a doubt the Brazilian economy has made progress over the last six months," declared Kohler, adding that he was optimistic about the Lula administration and pleased with the drop in the Brazil risk premium, which fell from over 2,000 to less than 800.

Kohler also praised the stronger real and the lower inflation rate. "Brazil is on track. This is the way to strong economic growth," he said.

While in Washington, Lula also met with the president of the AFL-CIO, John Sweeney, who has known Lula for over 30 years. And Lula met with the president of the World Bank, James Wolfensohn, and the Interamerican Development Bank, Enrique Iglesias. (AB)