Rio, April 30, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - The World Bank (IBRD) expects to invest around US$ 500 million in Brazil this year. Disbursement of the funds is being negotiated with the federal government. In the 15 months that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been in office, the IBRD has already invested over US$ 1 billion in social programs, according to the Bank's press office.

The IBRD, together with the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA), is holding a round table conference today in Rio to discuss and evaluate the measures that are being adopted by the government in the economic, financial, and social spheres.

Minister Jaques Wagner, of the Economic and Social Development Council, is coordinating the debates.

Translator: David Silberstein