Washington, United States, 22 April – The Brazilian economy is this year expected to grow by 5.5 percent, one of the best performances worldwide, and by 4.1 percent in 2011, according to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook.

The projections are 0.8 and 0.4 percentage points higher, respectively, than estimates shown in the previous IMF report published in January and mean that Brazil will return to growth rates similar to those posted pre-crisis – 5.1 percent in 2008.

The IMF generally outlines a “more positive scenario” for emerging economies than for more developed economies.

“Countries such as Brazil, China and Indonesia are already evidencing strong growth, despite the weak recovery of more advanced economies, managing to attract once again flows of capital,” said the World Economic Outlook, published Wednesday in Washington.

In 2009 the Brazilian economy saw slight contraction, of 0-2 percent, as a result og the world economic crisis.

Alongside the economic growth expected this year the IMF estimates that inflation will also rise, with consumer prices increasing 5.1 percent as compared to 4.9 percent in 2009. (macauhub)