Brasília - The government's non-financial sector (federal government, states, muncipalities and their state-owned enterprises) primary surplus reached US$3.0 billion (R$8.2 billion) in October - 35.67% above the September surplus of US$2.213 billion (R$ 6.044 billion). The October result elevated the cumulative primary surplus for the year to US$28,550 billion (R$77.971 billion), the equivalent of 5.6% of GDP.

The result is US$5.1 billion (R$14 billion) over the result for the same period last year (US$23 billion (R$64 billion), the equivalent of 5.15% of GDP).

With the result, the government should easily reach its year end target of a 4.50% of GDP primary surplus.

In October the federal government (Treasury, Central Bank and Social Security) had a primary surplus of US$2.019 billion (R$5.515 billion). States and municipalities had a primary surplus of US$466 million (R$1.274 billion) and state-run enterprises US$517 million (R$1.411 billion).

In October Brazil paid US$4.06 billion (R$11.1 billion) in interest on its debt. That was down US$146 million (R$400 million) from September.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Stenio Ribeiro
Translator: Allen Bennett
11/29/2004