Andina

Peru: Public investment up 15.5% in March 2019, reaches tipping point

17:09 | Lima, Apr. 1.

Public investment execution totaled S/2.181 billion (about US$657 million) in March this year, recording a nominal growth of 15.5% and reaching a tipping point regarding January and February declines, Economy and Finance Ministry (MEF) has informed.

According to MEF, the Inca country's public investment decreased 6.2% in nominal terms (S/541 million, around US$163 million) in January and 29.1% in February (S/1.302 billion, about US$392 million).

Economy and Finance Minister Carlos Oliva did not rule out the possibility of revising upwards the forecast for this year's public investment growth.

"Yes, it may be revised upwards, absolutely. We are analyzing March, which is the month in which this tipping point in execution should be observed with the change of authorities," he told El Peruano official gazette.

Public investment in March grew at all three levels of government, although was particularly driven by the national and local ones.

Public investment totaled S/930 million (about US$280 million) at the National Government, up 20.3% compared to the same month last year —in nominal terms— but amounted to S/905 million (around US$272 million), posting a rise of 16.8%.

In the case of regional governments, public investment execution totaled S/346 million (around US$104 million), up 1.4%.

(END) JJN/RMB/MVB

Published: 4/1/2019