Brasília, 12/24/2003 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Last night congress approved the government's 2004 budget (Orçamento Geral da União para 2004). The bill has earmarked R$12 billion for discretionary outlays, that is, four times what the government had to spend as it wished in 2003.

The budget projects a 4% GDP growth, lower inflation, a trade surplus and increased foreign direct investments, along with a primary surplus of 4.25% of GDP and interest rates at 12.7% at the end of the year. There is room in the budget for a minimum wage of R$270 (at the moment it is R$240). (AB)