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National Report Regional Network - September 2003
| Interview round: | 4-2003 | | Interview period: | August - September 2003 | | Responsible: | Agderforskning |
Summary- There have been small, but positive changes in activity levels since the last
reporting period. Growth was most substantial in retail trade and the household
service sector.
- Manufacturing industry's domestic and export markets have improved slightly.
However, demand is still falling for the petroleum industry.
- The building and construction sector reports improvements, especially in the
number of new orders.
- Employment continues to fall in all sectors except retail trade, but the fall appears
to be levelling off.
- The business sector is somewhat more positive in its investment plans. However,
investment is aimed to a large extent at improving efficiency and quality and
seldom at increasing capacity.
- Due to workforce reductions and other cost-cutting measures, developments in
operating margins are more positive.
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