Regional network summaries

Print

Region Central-Norway

Interview round:  1-2007
Interview period: January and February 2007

Summary

• There still appears to be growth in all business sectors. Growth appears to be strongest for suppliers to the petroleum industry and corporate services. Growth in all business sectors is also expected in the next six months.
• Investment appears to be increasing in all industry sectors and the public sector. Retail trade is the business sector with plans for the highest growth in investment. For the service sector, it would seem that major previous investments will result in a lower level in the period ahead.
• Employment is increasing in all business sectors and the public sector. Growth appears to be strongest in services. In the next 3 months, it would seem that growth will come to a halt in retail trade and the public sector.
• There is little spare production capacity and the most commonly reported constraint is the availability of skilled labour. It is reported that manpower with engineering expertise is especially difficult to find.
• Annual wage growth is expected to be between 4 and 6 per cent. Growth is expected to be highest in services. With the exception of building and construction, all industry sectors and the public sector expect faster growth this year than at the same time last year.
• Prices seem to be rising in all business sectors, but are rising fastest in building and construction. Signals point to higher price rises in building and construction and retail trade.
• Margins appear to have improved for the export industry, suppliers to the petroleum industry and services. Reduced margins are reported in building and construction.