31.   Analysts said the government is still on track to show a declining deficit this year, due to the improved economy and spending caps that have held outlays down.

32.   Botswana, considered a rare African success story for almost three decades of stability, could register its first budget deficit this year, a bank official says.

33.   But some analysts said with the United States headed for a record trade deficit this year the dollar needs to remain low to make American products more competitive overseas.

34.   China is projecting a record budget deficit this year as it gives its military another double-digit spending increase and spends heavily to prop economic growth.

35.   Estrada told lawmakers Saturday night that the budget reflects the need to rein in expenses due to a huge budget deficit this year.

36.   Estrada has told lawmakers that the budget reflects the need to rein in expenses due to a huge budget deficit this year.

37.   Fernandez has said the measures will keep the economy stable and prevent a budget deficit this year.

38.   He predicted the current account deficit this year will be only about three per cent of gross domestic product, compared with eight per cent last year.

39.   It was the clearest indication yet that the government believes it will not have a deficit this year, despite the regional economic crisis.

40.   Measures that the government already has taken may lead to a small deficit this year.