Stênio Ribeiro
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - The country's consolidated foreign debt fell US$ 9.701 billion in July in comparison with June. It decreased from US$ 191.309 billion to US$ 181.608 billion, the lowest level since December, 1996, when it stood at US$ 173 billion, according to information announced on Friday (28) by Altamir Lopes, head of the Economic Policy Department of the Central Bank (BC).

Lopes released the September report on External Policy and said that short-term debt amounts to US$ 16.406 billion, while medium and long-term obligations represent US$ 165.202 billion. The decrease, he said, is the result of redemptions of Euro 2005 bonds (US$ 1.5 billion) and Global 2005 bonds (US$ 1 billion) and early repayment of US$ 5 billion owed to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The BC report also indicates an improvement in the country's international reserves, which rose US$ 1.932 billion and currently total US$ 57.008 billion.

Translation: David Silberstein