Best sovereign borrower:Brazil

Brazil set out on a new course in 1999, both in the management of its economy and in its approach to the international capital markets. Concerns over the country's deficits provoked huge capital Xight and a currency devaluation last January. But Brazil did not tip over into crisis. President Fernando Enrique Cardoso, Wnance minister Pedro Malan and central bank governor Arminio Fraga have pushed through tough measures: cutting spending and increasing taxes so as to produce a primary (before debt service costs) public-sector surplus of 3% of GDP. This is the target for the next three years.

Brazil set out on a new course in 1999, both in the management of its economy and in its approach to the international capital markets. Concerns over the country’s deficits provoked huge capital Xight and a currency devaluation last January. But Brazil did not tip over into crisis. President Fernando Enrique Cardoso, Wnance minister Pedro Malan and central bank governor Arminio Fraga have pushed through tough measures: cutting spending and increasing taxes so as to produce a primary (before debt service costs) public-sector surplus of 3% of GDP.

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