Mr Lopes' speech before the Economic Affairs Commission of the Federal Senate
Summary of a speech by the new President of the Central Bank of Brazil, Mr Francisco Lopes,
before the Economic Affairs Commission of the Federal Senate in Brasilia on 26/1/99.
Translated from Jornal do Brasil of 27/1/99.
Inflation
I am sure inflation will not come back. Of course, there will be some adjustment in relative
prices but there is no possibility of resuming the old inflationary process. We will have to put in
place tight monetary policy and prevent any forms of indexation, opportunism or speculation. As
the Brazilian economy is relatively closed - imports correspond to 8% of GDP - a devaluation of
50%, (i.e. the exchange rate stabilising at the very depreciated level of R$ 1.80), would add about
4 to 5% to the rate of inflation.
Overvaluation of the real
The use of the exchange rate anchor made an exchange rate overvaluation inevitable.
Nevertheless we had imagined it would be possible to shift from the mini-band regime to the free
floating regime in a rather gradual way, while the economy was still attracting foreign capital.
But reality sometimes frustrates the best intentions. With the benefit of hindsight (after the Asian
and Russian crises), the widening of the exchange rate band in April last year, which widened the
amplitude of the exchange rate fluctuation by 1% per year, was a rather timid movement. But it is
easy to be wise after the event.
Wider exchange rate band
The attempt to shift from the mini band to the wider band lasted for 48 hours. We knew that it
had limited chances of success. Within four days we had lost almost US$ 6 billion in
international reserves. And the free floating exchange rate regime, supported by a solid fiscal
stance, has become our new objective. The idea of widening the band under the model designed
and issued as of January 13th was good, but unfortunately it came too late.
Centralisation of Foreign Exchange Transactions
Suggestions about centralising exchange market operations shock me. Because centralising
exchange market transactions in the central bank amounts to having no foreign exchange regime,
it leads the country to the moratorium, with the re-negotiation of debts. Credit lines to Brazil
would be cut. It means violating the rules of the game. It would be a completely arbitrary act
which would have terrible consequences.
Economic Growth
The first semester of this year will be hard. But I believe that from next year we will achieve high
rates of growth - maybe spectacular rates of growth.
Interest rates
Interest rates will be kept high at first, but not for a long time.
Dollarisation
I do not see any case for dollarisation in Brazil. It is a little bit strange for a country to be without
its own currency. There will come the day when the adoption of a single currency within the
MERCOSUR will be taken into account by its member countries. But then a common currency
of the region, not the dollar, will be agreed upon and the first step in this direction is to have a
strong real.
Responsibility
I have been in the government since the beginning of 1995. I feel myself responsible for what has
been done during this whole period. Pedro Malan has a key role in the government. Few
Brazilians have his international credentials. He has good relations with men that make this
world of international finance. His continued presence is essential to consolidate this transition
period. But we should care about policies rather than names. Malan and I are carrying out a
mission.
Devaluation of the real
No economy in the world could sustain a devaluation in real terms of 40%. The difficulty in
maintaining a devaluation of that magnitude is that inflation would resume. The exchange rate
has overshot, but it will come back, appreciating as time elapses.
Currency Board
I would like to stress my opposition to the idea of adopting a currency board in Brazil. This
subject has already been examined and the government has decided against it. The Brazilian
economy is not dollarised and I believe it would be a disastrous policy option. Brazil tried a
similar regime in 1906. Nowadays, money supply in the expanded concept (M4) comes to R$450
billion, while international reserves reach US$ 36 billion. To implement this regime we would
have to dollarise and lengthen the maturity of these deposits. This government is definitely
committed to avoid such measures.
Future
The devaluation of the real will improve the fiscal balance, as it will permit interest rates to fall
in the future. Foreign investors will return, sustaining economic growth. My optimism is not
foolish. The next six months will be very hard. I am optimistic on what will take place after that.
Unemployment
I believe that the unemployment rate has to do more with the overvalued exchange rate than with
the level of economic activity. Enterprises were being crushed.