Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SAOPAULO426
2007-05-18 10:29:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Sao Paulo
Cable title:  

BRAZIL'S NEW GDP METHODOLOGY RESULTS IN HIGHER GROWTH

Tags:  ECON ETRD EFIN EIND BR 
pdf how-to read a cable
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FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
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RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 8076
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RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ 3346
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0265
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RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHDC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SAO PAULO 000426 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR FEARS
STATE PASS FEDERAL RESERVE FOR PROBITAILLE
STATE PASS USTR FOR SCRONIN
DEPT OF TREASURY FOR JHOEK
USDOC FOR 4332/ITA/MAC/WH/OLAC/MCAMPOS
USDOC ALSO FOR 3134/USFCS/OIO/WH
STATE PASS EXIMBANK
STATE PASS OPIC FOR DMORONESE, NRIVERA, CMERVENNE
PARIS FOR ECON - TOM WHITE
USAID FOR LAC/AA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EFIN EIND BR
SUBJECT: BRAZIL'S NEW GDP METHODOLOGY RESULTS IN HIGHER GROWTH
FIGURES


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 SAO PAULO 000426

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NSC FOR FEARS
STATE PASS FEDERAL RESERVE FOR PROBITAILLE
STATE PASS USTR FOR SCRONIN
DEPT OF TREASURY FOR JHOEK
USDOC FOR 4332/ITA/MAC/WH/OLAC/MCAMPOS
USDOC ALSO FOR 3134/USFCS/OIO/WH
STATE PASS EXIMBANK
STATE PASS OPIC FOR DMORONESE, NRIVERA, CMERVENNE
PARIS FOR ECON - TOM WHITE
USAID FOR LAC/AA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD EFIN EIND BR
SUBJECT: BRAZIL'S NEW GDP METHODOLOGY RESULTS IN HIGHER GROWTH
FIGURES



1. SUMMARY: The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics
(IBGE),in an effort to bring its methodology to determine Brazil's
GDP growth into line with international standards, recently revised
its current methodology, establishing 2000 as the base year. The
highest differences between the new and the old GDP series are
concentrated in the period from 2000 through 2006. The new method
yields an accumulated growth figure of 24.1 percent compared to 19.6
percent under the previous method. Higher economic growth in 2006
and changes in key solvency indicators, notably the debt-to-GDP
ratio, will better capture the momentum of internal demand. End
Summary.

BRAZIL'S GDP REVISION IN LINE WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
--------------


2. Using a new methodology that follows international standards
established by the United Nations and other organizations such as
the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, the
Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) recently
released revised Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for the years
2000 through 2006 that showed greater economic expansion than
previously registered. The new series uses a broader range of
information sources, including IBGE's annual surveys of economic
segments as well as information from tax receipts and household
surveys, aiming at a better measurement of the country's GDP. As a
result, certain economic activities that previously were only
estimated, such as government consumption and financial
intermediation, are now actually measured. Another improvement is
an updating of the weight of different economic activities, so that
services such as telecommunications and transportation are given
more weight.


3. The new GDP series presented higher real growth rates for five
out of the six years released (see below). The highest differences

were registered in 2002 and 2004, when rates moved to 2.7 percent
and 5.7 percent from the 1.9 and 4.9 percent previously calculated.
Total growth in the period was revised upward to 19.3 percent versus
16.3 percent under the old methodology.

Comparing GDP Growth:

Old GDP Series (percent) Revised GDP Series (percent)

2005 2.3 2.9
2004 4.9 5.7
2003 0.5 1.1
2002 1.9 2.7
2001 1.3 1.3
2000 4.4 4.3


4. Looking at GDP demand indicators, the changes were concentrated
in the areas of 1) an increase of household consumption to 60
percent of GDP from the previous 55 percent; 2) a reduction of
investments to 16.3 percent of GDP from previous 20.1 percent; and
3) a decrease in exports to 15.1 percent from previous 16.7 percent.
The reduction of investment participation was concentrated in civil
construction, while capital goods consumption increased to 7.8
percent of GDP.


5. A significant change was the proportion of services from the
supply side indicators. This component participation climbed to
66.7 percent in 2000 from 56.3 percent calculated under the old
methodology, propelled by higher contributions from
telecommunications, retail, transportation and other services. On
the other hand, there was a reduction in the share of agriculture
and industrial activity from 7.7 percent to 5.6 percent and from
36.1 percent to 27.7 percent, respectively.


SAO PAULO 00000426 002 OF 002



6. According to the new methodology, investment comprised a smaller
share of the economy between from 2000 and 2005 than previously
estimated. Also, the growth previously registered in investment's
share of GDP over the past two years was much smaller than
originally thought.

Investment as a Share of GDP:

Old GDP Series (percent) Revised GDP series (percent)
2005 20.6 16.3
2004 21.3 16.1
2003 17.8 15.3
2002 18.3 16.4
2001 19.5 17.1
2000 19.3 16.8

BRAZIL REVISES GDP UPWARD FOR 2006 - A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK
--------------


7. Data released by IBGE using the new methodology showed more of
an improvement in Brazil's GDP in 2006 than figures originally
indicated, boosted by a 4.1 percent growth in agriculture, 4.6
percent in civil construction, and 4.8 percent expansion in the
retail sector. Thus, using the new methodology, IBGE reported that
the economy actually grew 3.7 percent versus the previous
announcement of 2.9 percent - a difference of 0.8 percentage points.
The new methodology takes into consideration 56 activities and 110
products, while the previous methodology used 43 activities and 80
products. The revised data showed Brazil's GDP was USD 1.1 trillion
in 2006, an all-time high. IBGE also reported that per capita GDP
climbed 2.3 percent in 2006 to USD 5,700, with household consumption
was up 4.3 percent. Thus, accumulated GDP growth from 2000 through
2006 was 24.1 percent, as opposed to 19.6 percent using the old
methodology. Also under the revisions, Brazil's debt as a percentage
of GDP declined from 50 to 45 percent.


8. COMMENT: The new methodology introduced by IBGE indicates that
Brazil's economic performance was stronger than previously reported.
The new methodology also puts more emphasis than before on areas
like technology, technological services and financial market
activities. The new GDP figures are intended to more accurately
reflect the changing nature of the Brazilian economy. It is
noteworthy, however, that the new figures reveal that investment
comprises a smaller share of the economy than previously believed.
Without reform of its pension system, application of more stringent
controls of government expenses, improvement of the business
environment, the effective implementation of structural reforms and
a more open economy, Brazil will continue to struggle to attract
investment and to sustain a more economic robust growth rate,
regardless of methodology. End Comment.


9. This cable was coordinated with Embassy Brasilia.

MCMULLEN