BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's economy ministry on Wednesday cut its forecasts for GDP growth this and next year, while it raised its outlook for inflation, showing some economic deterioration on its radar.
GDP is likely to grow by 5.1% this year and 2.1% in 2022, down from 5.3% and 2.5%, respectively from a previous outlook, the government said. Inflation measured by the IPCA consumer price index is seen at 9.7% this year, from 7.9% previously, and 4.7% in 2022, from 3.75% before.
The economy ministry said in a statement that it decided to cut the GDP outlook due to higher interest rates. Brazil's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate in 150 basis points to 7.75%, in November, in a move aimed to tame double-digit inflation, and it is likely to hike the Selic rate again soon.
Despite lower outlooks for GDP, Brazil's government remains more optimistic than market participants, who estimate economic growth of 4.88% this year and 0.93% in 2022, according to the Brazilian central bank's Focus survey of economists.
The government said its higher GDP forecast is based on a better job market as well as on infrastructure investments.