the royal norwegian ministry of agriculture market statement ece timber committee sixty first session geneva 7 10 october 2003 1 general economic situation economy shows slower growth than anticipated last autumn this is mainly due to weak performance global and impaired competitiveness manufacturing industries mainland gdp projected grow even in two previous sub trend years weaker year stems partly from lower electricity production but sour sentiment at home abroad has also reduced prospect through expected private consumption exports investments after a period with high appreciation krone currency positive interest differential short term rate norway now reached historically low level 2 5 though depreciated still fairly explained by labour wages which higher our trading partners estimated per cent compared 3 pick up close
