Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff has vowed to bring the economy back growing again, calling for unity to overcome the economic crisis.
"My government will fight every day for our country to resume growing, generating jobs in the necessary amount for all Brazilians and families to have better lives," Xinhua quoted Rousseff as saying at an official event in Sao Carlos, Sao Paulo state, on Wednesday.
She said the government was taking steps to get the economy back on track, reiterating that this year represents a transition to a new phase with more job generation and growth.
At the event to deliver popular housing units to low income families, Rousseff said it was time to "tighten the belts" as Brazil is going through a rough patch, calling for unity to move forward.
"Despite difficulties, the government must provide equal opportunities to the population," she said, adding "people are different, but access to healthcare and education must be the same".
Brazil, the world's seventh largest economy, has entered a steep recession and is hit by a major corruption scandal involving state oil giant Petrobras.