Rio, September 5, 2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Industrial production in Brazil grew 0.4% in July, in comparison with the previous month, but in relation to July, 2002, this indicator is negative, -2.5%. Including this result, industrial production during the first seven months of the year shows a cumulative decline of 0.3% in comparison with the same period last year. In a comparison based on the past 12 months, on the other hand, there was a 1.9% growth. These data are drawn from the IBGE's (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) Monthly Industrial Survey of Physical Production, released today.

According to the IBGE, July's result, in comparison with June's, is mainly the reflection of a recovery in the mineral extraction sector, which grew 8.8%. Of the 19 branches of manufacturing industry included in the survey, 10 experienced growth.

This growth, following June's 2.6% decline, puts July's production at the second lowest level since December, 2001. (DAS)