Brasília - The deputy director for the Western Hemisphere at the International Monetary Fund, Charles Collyns, in comments made following meetings with Brazilian economic offiicals at the Ministry of Finance yesterday, declared that "Brazilian economic numbers are very good" ("os números da economia brasileira estão muito bons".)

Collyns went on to say he was impressed by the encouraging news from the industrial sector and that he believes there should be strong growth during the rest of the year. "I am confident in the way the economy is being managed. The strong performance of the economy is a reflection of good management. What is important is to continue fiscal discipline - and that is certainly happening," he declared.

Translation: Allen Bennett