Brasília, 8/15/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - With the objective of laying the groundwork for renewed growth, boosting exports and facilitating the inflow of investments, the government is preparing the final text of its tax reform bill which is supposed to be ready today for a presentation to party leaders in congress. According to the government leader in the Chamber of Deputies, Aldo Rebelo (PCdoB-SP), "The text is concise in dealing with the problem of taxation and the need for growth.... The government recognizes the existence of a misbalance in the federative relationship, but does not intend to resolve it at this moment," he declared.

Rebelo presented a timetable for the tax bill which begins in the Special Commission with a reading on Monday (August 18) and a commission vote on Thursday (21). The bill then goes to the floor of the Chamber for two votes, and then to the Senate for two more votes. Rebelo's timetable sets final congressional approval for September 30. "Now that the bill is in congress, the issue is entirely in the hands of congress," declared Rebelo. (AB)