Edla Lula
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - In the second week of February (7-13), Brazil's trade balance produced a surplus of US$ 449 million, raising the year's surplus to US$ 3.232 billion. Exports during the week amounted to US$ 1.161 billion. The daily average was US$ 387.0 million. Imports during the same period came to US$ 712 million, for a daily average of US$ 237.3 million.

According to data from the Secretariat of Foreign Trade (Secex), the increase in foreign sale in February, through the second week, was 34% more than in February, 2004. Purchases from abroad increased, also, 32.4%, compared with the same period.

So far this year, exports have amounted to US$ 10.425 billion, 17.9% more than in 2004. Imports have also grown, 12.7%; they stand at US$ 7.193 billion.

Translation: David Silberstein