Brasília - Net government debt stood at US$ 327.9 billion (R$ 941.3 billion) in August, down US$ 1.5 billion (R$ 4.4 billion) from July's total of US$ 329.5 billion (R$ 945.7 billion), according to the monthly report on "Fiscal Policy," released today by the Economic Department of the Central Bank (BC).

These figures helped bring about a 0.9% reduction in the ratio between net debt and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Between July and August, the ratio fell from 55% to 54.1%, well below last December's ratio of 58.7%.

While the central government registered a surplus of US$ 1.31 billion (R$ 3.8 billion), regional governments added US$ 557 million (R$ 1.6 billion), and public enterprises contributed US$ 1.9 billion (R$ 5.5 billion). As a result, the cumulative surplus for the year rose to US$ 22.1 billion (R$ 63.7 billion), equivalent to 5.8% of the GDP.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Stênio Ribeiro
Translator: David Silberstein
09/24/2004