By Andre Soliani
April 4 (Bloomberg) — Brazil’s central bank will take the necessary steps to ensure inflation will slow to its 4.5 percent central target over the course of 2012, a government official familiar with monetary policy strategy said.
Policy makers in Latin America’s biggest economy will also attempt to bring 2011 inflation as close as possible to the midpoint of its target, said the official, who asked not to be named because he isn’t authorized to discuss the issues publicly. (Read more)
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has declared a war on drug trafficking, trading and consumption fulfilling a promise made during her election campaign.
At a ceremony, she announced the establishment of 49 Regional Centers of Reference on “crack” and other drugs in public universities.
In the centers, health professionals will be trained and drug addicts will have consultations with social workers for treatment and prevention.
Rousseff said that the fight against drugs will be conducted on three fronts: prevention, assistance to users and their families and combating drug trafficking.
“We have an extremely worrying situation concerning drugs and crime. My government will promote a systematic combat against crack. I have the commitment to a relentless struggle against crack,” Rousseff said.
“This drug has a very high capacity to spread because it is cheap and it disintegrates personalities and social relations,” she said.
According to the president, the fight against drugs requires a fight against organised crime, so it is necessary to strengthen the Federal Police and border control. (more…)
