Rio - The economic research adviser to the Rio de Janeiro State Federation of Industries (Firjan), Luciana Marques de Sá, declared that the economic policy adopted by the Brazilian government is succeeding. According to Firjan estimates, the Brazilian economy will end 2004 with growth above 3.5%. Real sales by industries in the state of Rio de Janeiro should be up 10% this year, according to the institution. Sales by the state's industries fell 0.3% last year.

For the economist, from the perspective of exports, the success of the policy adopted by the government is "undeniable." "We are experiencing a process of heightened economic activity which is becoming more generalized. It is affecting a larger number of sectors," she said, claiming that the economy recovery is already reflected in the number of jobs, which have been expanding in the industrial sector for the past five months.

According to Marques de Sá, although one can still detect some concern on the part of the government with inflation, the rates have remained stable.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Nielmar de Oliveira
Translator: David Silberstein
08/25/2004