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Economics

Manufacturing sector stronger: report

AAP  |  MONDAY, 3 MAY 2004
Demand for food, beverages and commodities helped drive a slight growth in manufacturing activity last month, according to a key industry indicator released today.

Bank of Japan chief says GDP growth this year may halt deflation

AAP  |  MONDAY, 3 MAY 2004
Japan's central bank chief today said long-running price declines that are hobbling the world's second-largest economy could ease in 2005 if overall economic growth and corporate reforms continue.

Voters prefer Government spending to tax cuts: poll

AAP  |  MONDAY, 3 MAY 2004
Voters would prefer government spending on essential services over tax cuts, according to a new poll. Tax cuts are expected to be the centrepiece of the May Federal Budget. But the Sun-Herald newspaper reported today that the poll, conducted by Roy Morgan ...

Economic growth likely slowed in March quarter: economists

AAP  |  MONDAY, 3 MAY 2004
Weaker domestic demand offset by a further improvement in net exports likely drove a mild slowing in Australia's economic growth during the March quarter.

WTO Plea

Business groups from the US, Europe, Asia and Latin American urged political leaders today to face up to the difficult decisions needed to reach a new world trade deal. In a petition sent to members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the 35 business ...

Home lending picks up again in March: RBA

AAP  |  FRIDAY, 30 APR 2004
Home lending picked up again in March to take annual growth to a new record high, new figures showed today, increasing the risk of an interest rate rise in coming months.

US interest rates likely to rise as inflation builds, poll finds

US economic growth is chugging along but worries about rising inflation pressures have fueled expectations the Federal Reserve will push up interest rates in the next few months.

New Zealand central bank lifts interest rates 25 basis points

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) gave several reasons for not lifting interest rates yesterday and then lifted them anyway, an economist says.

Construction industry shows signs of growth

Australia's construction industry is set to grow significantly over the next 18 months, according to a peak industry group survey.

China committed to strong measures to contain growth, Premier Wen says

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Wednesday China was committed to forceful measures to cool its dangerously fast-growing economy, which has benefited global growth but, left unchecked, has the potential to drag it down.