Brasília, March 15, 2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - Brazil's trade surplus so far this year, through March 14, stands at US$ 4.481 billion. Since the beginning of the year, exports have amounted to US$ 14.906 billion and imports, US$ 10.425 billion. Over this period the daily average of exports per business day has risen 27.8% and of imports, 16.4%.

In the second week of March (8-14), the trade balance registered a US$ 511 million surplus. Exports came to US$ 1.751 billion, and imports, US 1.240 billion. So far this month the surplus is US$ 911 million.

Compared with March, 2003, daily averages per business day grew 22.7% for exports and 26.9% for imports.

The financial market projects a cumulative surplus of US$ 23 billion in the trade balance for this year, as against the Central Bank's estimate of US$ 20 billion. (DAS)