Brasília, November 28, 2002 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - The net public sector debt stood at R$ 866.2 billion (US$ 241.7 billion), or 59.9% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in October, as against R$ 885.1 billion (US$ 246.98 billion), or 63.6% of the GDP, in September. According to a Central Bank report released today, this drop was assisted by the appreciation of the exchange rate occurring during the period, responsible for a reduction of R$ 27.8 billion (US$ 7.76 billion) in the debt total. For the year, the debt registers a 6.69% increase.

The Central Bank report informs that the impact of currency depreciation added the equivalent of 11.33% of GNP to the debt; financial requirements, 2.29%; and acknowledgement of debts, 0.83%. Factors contributing to debt reduction were: privatizations, 0.25%, and growth in nominal output, 7.52%. (DAS)