Brazil sees record trade surplus
Brazil's Trade Ministry says the country's trade surplus reached a record $46.07 billion in 2006, up from $44.8 billion in 2005.
The statistics reported on the Trade Ministry's website said export volumes reached an all-time high of $137.37 billion. Imports were also up sharply, totaling $91.39 billion, a sharp increase from 2005's $73.5 billion.
Bloomberg News reported Brazil's real has gained 66 percent since January 2003, when President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office.
An Associated Press report noted Brazil's commodity exports have increased in both volume and value, while the country has been able to decrease its oil imports.
Brazil sees record trade surplus
