The rise in the basic interest rate contributes to a heightened access to credit, an additional braking factor for the economy. Data from the BNA indicate that in FEB. credit rose 3.2%, but taking into account inflation the indicator reveals stagnation. Construction and extractive industry are the sectors in counter-cycle, with growth of funding. Credit to the private sector has been declining in real terms, and only the public sector shows an upward trend, having doubled in nominal value, both in local and foreign currencies. The increase refers to the growth of state financing through domestic debt. READ MORE