Brazil's government says its economy expanded in the third quarter as the nation continues to experience robust growth after emerging from a short recession brought on by the global meltdown.

The government's IBGE statistics agency says gross domestic product rose 1.3 percent from July through September compared to the second quarter — when Latin America's largest economy shook off its recession.

The report released Thursday said third-quarter growth was down 1.2 percent from the same quarter a year ago.

Brazil's economy contracted 1 percent for the 12-month period ending in September. Overall growth for 2009 is expected to be flat or slightly positive. Experts predict the Brazilian economy will expand as much as 6 percent next year.