(Adds details, context, quote)
SAO PAULO, April 6 (Reuters) - Brazilian Finance
Minister Fernando Haddad said on Thursday the country's central
bank has sent "several signs" that measures being taken by
government to balance public accounts, including a newly
proposed fiscal framework, were "consistent".
As the government pressures policymakers to lower interest
rates, Haddad highlighted in an interview with BandNews that
central bank chief Roberto Campos Neto has praised the fiscal
efforts made so far.
Campos Neto at an event on Wednesday said the efforts had
eliminated the risk of a "more uncoordinated" debt trajectory,
but emphasized there was no mechanical relationship between the
fiscal situation and interest rates as the critical factor was
how the measures would impact inflation expectations.
Nonetheless, Haddad said that congressional approval of
the fiscal framework would help to bring lending costs down.
Brazil's benchmark interest rate currently stands at a
six-year high of 13.75%.
"If public accounts are in order, there is no reason for
that level of interest rates," Haddad said.
The minister also said he was working to get debt
renegotiation program Desenrola launched in the first half of
the year after previous deadlines were missed in February and
March.
Reuters
reported last month
, citing sources, that the government had been facing
technical issues and open questions about the role of the
private sector in the program.
Haddad confirmed the government was still trying to
convince companies to provide data for the Desenrola software.
(Reporting by Luana Maria Benedito; Writing by Gabriel Araujo;
Editing by Steven Grattan)
