ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY

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Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2
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RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
18
Document Creation Date: 
December 22, 2016
Document Release Date: 
May 14, 2010
Sequence Number: 
4
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Publication Date: 
January 24, 1974
Content Type: 
REPORT
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i i 4 It)i P c1i -2,.j /- Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 ; I Secret L Economic Intelligence meekly 'LOAN COPY . Return to DS& ,?1107, Hq. Secret CIA No. 7923/74 24 January 1974 Copy N2 188 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 2!. Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 LJL' V1t1i 1 USSR Warns Against US-Romanian Business Ventures Committee of Twenty Argentina: US Subsidiary Prepares for Sale to Cuba US Firm May Participate in Mammoth Soviet Aluminum Project Chilean Growth Prospects finF9-74 Page South Vietnam Requests Step-Up in US Aid Saigon seeks a 3 substantial increase in FY 1974 to cope with declining real imports and economic stagnation. Worldwide Grain Developments 4 US Trade with Yugoslavia: Imports Lead the Way US experiences first postwar trade deficit with Yugoslavia The United Kingdom: Dismal Current Account Outlook Britain's trade deficit will rise dramatically in 1974. Japan: Adjusting to Higher Oil Import Costs Tokyo has large non-official reserves to cushion the impact of higher oil prices Floating the Franc Paris moves unilaterally to entrance its competitive position. Petroleum Situation Aggravates World Fertilizer Shortage The 11 LDCs are especially hurt. Comparative Indicators Recent Data Concerning Domestic and External Al Economic Activity The oil situation is now being covered mainly in International Oil Developments, p:ot,'fished each Friday morning. SECRET 24 January 1974 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 7.L' tai\l'. 1 Notes USSR Warns Against US-Romanian Business Ventures Soviet lead,ars, Kosygin and Patolichev, recently advised officials of Pullman Inc., to avoid business ventures in Romania and seek contracts instead in Poland, Bulgaria, and East Germany. Otherwise, business relations with the USSR. could be impaired. The USSR may feel that such a warning to Pullman will be effective since Swindell Dressler, a division of Pullman, has large contracts for building foundries in the USSR and Poland but does little business in other East European countries. Committee of Twenty With the impact of higher oil prices dominating the C-20 meetings in Rome, little progress was made on questions of monetary reform. Indeed, much of the ministerial session was devoted to a discussion of international borrowing to ease the payment difficulties resulting from soaring fuel costs. A proposal to use IMF facilities was generally favored. Decision was deferred because of concern over the de facto acceptance of present oil prices implicit in such a proposal and over the ability of developing nations to service increased debts. On reform the ministers agreed to the basic concept of a new SDR, based on a "basket" of currencies, further study on selection of currencies and on an appropriate SDR interest rate will be required. Argentina: US Subsidiary Prepares for Sale to Cuba Under pressure from Buenos Aires, the Ford Motor Company of Argentina is negotiating the sale of 1,500 Ford Falcon passenger cars and 1,000 F-7000 heavy trucks to Cuba. Delivery is scheduled to begin in about three months under a $1.2 billion Argentine credit extended to Havana in 1973. In response to previous company refusals to negotiate with Cuba because of the US embargo, Argentina threatened to buy vehicles at punitive prices for resale to Cuba. US Firm May Participate in Mammoth Soviet Aluminum Project Kaiser Industries presented a proposal to the Ministry of Nonferrous Metals last Saturday for Kaiser participation in a major 10-year program SECRET 24 January 1974 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 V1~V1\L' 1 for development of the USSR's aluminum industry. The Soviets estimate that foreign exchange credits of about $3 billion will be required for the project, which would raise aluminum output by 75?x, -- close to the current US capacity. Kaiser hopes to organize a consortium of aluminum companies for the iob and would undertake to obtain the necessary financing. Chilean Growth Prospects in 1974 Chile's National Planning Office (ODEPLAN) is forecasting a growth of 8.5% in GNP in 1974. The projection is highly optimistic, notwithstanding prospects for record copper production and general recovery in manufacturing and agriculture. The jump in copper production to I million tons may be partially offset by a decline in word copper prices. In addition, Chile's import bill for petroleum products is expected to rise from $120 million in 1973 to $340 million in 1974. These factors, plus shortages of petrochemicals and mediocre agricultural production, make GNP growth of 3% to 5% more likely. A second Soviet-Canadian firm -- Stankocanada Machinery - has been formed to market Soviet-manufactured goods. Although Stankocanada's initial sales probably will be limited to Canadian markets, future marketing may be extended to the United States. Belarus Equipment, the first Soviet-Canadian firm, was established in 1972 to assemble Soviet tractors for sale in Canada and the United States. The Soviets have also sought to interest US firms in distributing Soviet agricultural machinery and machine tools. SECRET 24 January 1974 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 Articles SOUTH VIETNAM REQUESTS STEP-UP IN US AID Faced with major price increases for key imports and a sluggish economy, South Vietnam - the largest recipient of US aid - has appealed for a substantial increase in assistance for FY 1974. To this end, the US Mission (Saigon) recently requested $250 million of new funds to supplement $550 million of US economic aid anticipated for the current fiscal year. Efforts to initiate reconstruction and steady growth have been frustrated by a decline in real foreign aid and uncertain investment conditions. In 1964 prices, US aid has dropped by 40% and South Vietnamese imports by 2070 since 1971. Saigon has persistently tried to reduce imports of non-essential consumer goods and to channel available funds toward investment. Nonetheless, recovery in economic growth since Estimated Imports and US Economic Aid Imports US Aidl Current Prices 1964 Prices Current Prices 1964 Prices 1964 270 270 222 222 1965 325 325 277 277 1966 553 547 736 729 1967 689 663 568 546 1968 628 603 537 516 1969 704 666 414 391 1970 657 597 477 434 1971 648 560 576 497 1972 684 548 475 380 1973 740 438 500 296 1974 925 406 5502 24! 1. Excluding piaster purchases. 2. The 1974 economic aid figure is a preliminary estimate based on current US Congressional action involving Security Assistance legislation amounting to about $300 million. To this are added requests for surplus agricultural commodities (PL-480) totaling some $200 million and a carryover 1973 US development loan of about $40 million. The total does not include US piaster purchases (in-country procurement, personal uses, and various official US assistance programs), which reached $180 million in 1973 and are projected at $130 million in 1974. SECRET 24 January !974 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 C-r Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 SECRET the 1972 military offensive by North Vietnam has been inhibited by caution on the part of investors - concerned about the security situation -- and the need to use aid funds to import badly needed primary goods. Appreciable economic growth is not possible Without the requested supplemental aid. Should it not be forthcoming, South Vietnam's imports in 1974 will probably be limited to about $925 million, a substantial reduction in real terms. The result probably will be yet another decline in real per capita incomes, further erosion of investment, and a probable slowdown in growth in the expanding export industries. This tendency for declining real aid levels to create greater dependence has prompted the Mission to note repeatedly that achieving self-sustaining growth will require a large initial jolt of US capital. Barring major petroleum discoveries,* foreign support levels will remain high for South Vietnam throughout the 1970s. Based on earlier CIA projections (in 1972 dollars) and allowing for likely global inflation, imports two to three years hence would probably be on the order of $1.5 billion to $1.6 billion to achieve sustained rapid growth. Even allowing for of sizable increase in South Vietnamese exports, this will mean that annual capital inflows from all foreign sources would have to amount to $800 million * Although some concessions have been leased and exploration is beginning, South Vietnam's petroleum resources almost certainly will not be significantly exploited during this decade. WORLDWIDE GRAIN DEVELOPMENTS Official estimates for this year's wheat crop have been lowered by more than I million tons. Because of poor harvesting weather and disease, production at best will reach only 1 1 million tons, with about 15% being low-quality wheat. Although probably able to meet its export commitments to traditional markets in 1974, the Wheat Board currently is refusing orders from new customers. An estimated three-quarters of the 7.5 million tons of wheat available for export in 1974 has already been committed. These developments increase the prcSsure on alternative suppliers of w;teat, such as the United States. 4 SECRET 24 January 1974 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 ~.Cl~ltt, 1 Bangladesh Recent commercial grain purchases along with aid-financed grain imports and a large fall rice harvest should satisfy Bangladesh's foodgrain needs during the next six months. Scheduled grain imports during January-June already amount to 670,000 tons and may be augmented by 73,000 tons of US PL-480 wheat. Although the 670,000 tons is only half the amount imported during the same period last year, the major rice harvest, which started in November, is estimated at 1.4 million tons more than last year-'s. The cost of commercial grain imports and shipping for the first half of 1974 will be a staggering $125 million. Dacca no doubt will keep a tight lid on non-food imports. Emergency grain shipments to drought-stricken Niger and Chad apparently will be at least 10,000 tons, or 20%, short of needs during February 1974. Requirements are greater than anticipated, and donor countries have not coordinated shipments. Crops in Niger, in particular, have been poor, and supplies reportedly are practically exhausted. Even if shipment of US food commitments for January-September 1974 - 250,000 tons of grain to be divided among Chad, Niger, Mali, Mauritania, and Upper Volta - were stepped up, inadequate land transport from the seacoast to the landlock?d countries would hold up deliveries. Commitments to deliver I million tons of wheat to Japan through western ports and 200,000 tons to a US broker through eastern ports by February-March have reportedly absorbed Canada's transport capacity for the current crop year. Recent withdrawals of offers to Caribbean countries and a refusal to sell at market prices to Lebanon indicate that Canada might be waiting to see whether railroads and Great Lakes shipping lines can deliver more. Until Canada starts selling again, buyers will be turning to US and US TRADE WITH YUGOSLAVIA: IMPORTS LEAD THE WAY* After stagnating in the late 1960s, US-Yugoslav trade climbed steadily to $420 million by 1973. US imports accounted for all of the increase, SECRET 24 January 1974 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 SECRET and the United States experienced its first postwar trade deficit with Yugoslavia in 1973. US-Yugoslav Trade' US exports 196 146 195 189 187 US imports 67 92 116 167 233 US trade balance 129 54 79 22 ?46 The surplus reflects a long-term campaign by Belgrade to balance its trade with the United States. Yugoslav exports ''lave doubled since 1971, with traditional exports of processed foods, wine and brandy, nonferrous metals, furniture, and leather goods leading the way. 'rnports from the United States have fallen from 20% of Yugoslav intpoi is in 1961 to 4% in 1973. US agricultural sales -- a major export in the j 950s and early 1960s -- fell sharply after the Findley Amendment in 1966 banned concessionary PL-480 sales to countries with ships calling in Cuba. Yugoslavia now imports large amounts of US foodstuffs only in bad agricultural years. Non-agricultural imports from the United States are widely distributed among machinery and equipment, raw materials, chemicals, and industrial manufactures. The US share of Yugoslav imports of such goods has also slipped. The boom in Yugoslavia's exports to the United States and the availability of Eximbank credit improve US sales prospects for 1974-75. A number of Eximbank-financed deals are already in the pipeline, including the $200 million Krsko nuclear plant, expansions in a number of steel plants, and modernization of the Yugoslav power grid system. Eximbank credit exposure now totals $410 million, and another $610 million in extensions is pending * This is the second in a series of articles on curren developments and prospects for US economic relations with the East European Communist ,ountries. 6 SECRET 24 January 1974 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 25X1 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 SECRET Britain's December trade deficit of $770 million put the current account $3.7 billion in the red for the full year 1973, more than triple the record deficit of 1964. Moreover, a current account deficit of at least $7 billion looms for 1974 because of the oil price dikes. To finance the deficit without slashing official reserves, Britain will seek to increase foreign borrowing - possibly drawing on IMF credits -- and will encourage other capital inflows. For example, Arab countries are being encouraged to use London's extensive financial facilties in investing their new wealth. Even before the oil crisis, a trade deficit of $2.5 billion to $3.5 billion in 1974 was expected. With higher oil prices adding about $5.0 billion (assuming imports of 2.5 million b/d in 1974) to the import bill, Britain now faces a trade deficit of some $9 billion. The deficit could be still larger if the government and the dissident unions do not reach a settlement soon. Because of the short workweek, export deliveries are being delayed in spite of the exemption of exports from profit controls. This delay has prompted some foreigners to cancel orders. As the year progresses, demand for British goods is expected to weaken because of a worldwide economic slowdown. At the same time, British demand for imports other than oil will be restricted by slackening economic growth and higher fuel bills, which will absorb an increased share of consumer's income. Tn hold down the trade deficit, the Heath government has ? curbed consumer credit and reduced planned public expenditures to hold down import demand; ? sought to establish barter arrangements with several Arab countries to offset partly the cost of imported oil with exports of industrial machinery and technology; and ? removed the ban on arms exports +,) the countries involved in the Middle East war. Whitehall apparently has decided not to impose import restrictions for the time being. If an early call for an election brings in a Labor government, such restrictions, as well as on capital flows, will be reconsidered. The pound, already floating at record lows, will remain weak, given the dismal current account outlook. SECRET 24 January 1974 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 SECRET JAPAN: ADJUSTING TO HIGHER OIL IMPORT COSTS Japan faces a rise in oil import costs this year of about S 1 1 billion, the largest increment for any country except the United States. At the same time, Japan is in a letter position than most countries to handle the increased cost. Tokyo still has sizable reserves of official foreign exchange and can draw on large non-offfcia; reserves, as well. It also can reduce net capital outflows simply by reversin,; policies introduced in 1972. Japan's official foreign exchange holdings at the end of 1973 amount to about $12 billion (down 37% from the February 1973 peak) and non-official holdings of approximatly $11 billion. The latter consist primarily of central bank loans to commercial banks for foreign trade financing. Most of these loans were made in 1972, when Tokyo tried to minimize the impact of a large payments surplus on official reserves. To slow the recent decline in official holdings, Japan has both drawn on the non-official reserves and taken steps to cut back capital outflows. The government wants to hold the net capital outflow to about $4 billion this year, compared with $9.7 billion in 1973 -- a world record. Thus, it is restricting overseas lending by Japanese banks, dropping other measures that have raised outflows, and permitting domestic firms to borrow abroad for the first time in several years. Since the last measure was announced a few weeks ago, the Ministry of Finance has received 120 applications to float bonds abroad. The Japanese trade should not be hurt much by the reduction in central bank funds deposited in commercial banks. This action is being offset by increased use of the US acceptance market, which the Japanese once relied on heavily to finance trade. FLOATING THE FRANC The French decision to float the franc was taken at a time when the franc was not under particularly strong pressure. Paris took the decision: in the cold in order to be one up on its trading partners and rivals, i.e., to maintain an edge in export competitiveness with, if possible, a slightly undervalued exchange rate. Paris has o-:ce more demonstrated it gives little weight to cooperation with either its EC partners or the international economic community as a whole. 8 SECRET 24 January 1974 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 150 Dollars par troy ounce 1.10 130 SECRET London Free Market Gold Price" Renewed currency Two-Iler gold turmoil begins pact terminated gold. 60111111111111II1111111III1IIII1IIIIII1111111111111III Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Toned on Iho afternoon fir in London on in Insf trading tiny in arch woo*. 1973 I I I I I Jan 2122 23 1974 The decision to float the franc czeated a new rush for dollars and ? Gold surged to a record high of $138 as speculation accelerated against paper currencies. ? European currencies continued to decline relative to the dollar. The pound and lira fell to record lows. The Bank of Italy maintained the lira's rate against the franc by stopping its dollar sales and allowing the lira to follow the franc down. The mark remained the strongest major European currency but is still declining against the dollar. ? The Bank of Japan sold an estimated $650 million to support the yen at 300 to the dollar when the Tokyo exchange reopened yesterday. The French move has already resulted in a substantial de facto devaluation of the franc. Since dropping out of the joint float, the franc has declined about 5% against the dollar and 4% relative to the mark. Thus the float has already improved French trade competitiveness. It also meets the French goal of preserving French monetary reserves as a cushion against the i,icreased cost of imported oil. Moreover, the large-scale intervention, which had been necessary to support the joint float, will no longer complicate management of French monetary policy; floating will enable Paris to pursue economic expansion more effectively if the energy problem results in a drop-off in economic growth. 9 SECRET January 1974 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 SECRET Percent Change In the Value of the US Dollar Relative to Selected Foreign Currencies Compared With January 2, 1973 lot 301_-L-L ,,j I .. I I I I 1 1 H I I I f il I I I Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 4 1 1 1 8 22 *Based on nonofficial bank trading "Relative to 16 major currencies Paris is, however, taking steps to keep the franc from declining drastically. It apparently is prepared to intervene in moderate amounts -- the Bank of France has reportedly sold about $250 million since the start of the float - and has moved to alleviate speculative pressure by tightening capital controls. ? Tighter restrictions were placed on foreign lending, forward currency purchases, and import payments to limit outward capital flows. ? Inward flows were 1ncouraged by raising the maximum amount French firms can borrow abroad. 10 SECRET 24 January 1974 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 Change In the Trade-Weighted Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 Z)VIUKJ 1 ? Paris is also retaining the two-tier exchange market, which restricts dealings in the commercial tier to most current account transactions while capital transactions take place on the free market. Support operations will continue to be limited to the commercial tier. The remaining members of the float now form essentially a "deutschemark zone" in which the mark is floating with six other currencies following in its path. For Bonn, little difference exists between this situation and Paris' controlled float. Germany's partners, however, are unlikely to be any more willing than the French to maintain fixed parities with other joint float members when (a) intervention becomes unac?'ertably expensive or (b) they become unhappy with their exchange rate relative to their non-participating trading partners. PETROLEUM SITUATION AGGRAVATES WORLD FERTILIZER SHORTAGE Petroleum shortages are aggravating the tight world fertilizer situation by undermining plans, pushing up prices, and creating shipping problems. The developed nations, which produce a major portion of their fertilizer needs, will fare better than the LDCs, which rely heavily on import;;, Western Europe, the United States, and Canada can all probably avoid serious domestic shortages in 1974 by reducing exports. The major concern in developed countries is the recent 2017v-50% rise in fertilizer prices attributable to rising demand and the soaring costs of petroleum feedstocks and phosphate rock. Asian countries are particularly vulnerable to the fertilizer shortage. High yields from "miracle seeds," which account for much of the incre'-.se ir. grain production in recent years, depend on heavy applications of fertilizers. Overall nitrogen exports to the Asian market are expected to be reduced by about 15% in 1974. Deliveries in the Far East are running six-eight weeks behind schedule, and any increase in the rate of output (assuming oil supplies are improved) will be too late for the fall crops. Because Japan needs Indonesian and Chinese oil, it probably will maintain fertilizer exports to these countries. 11 SECRET 24 January 1974 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 India's fertilizer supplies for the current crop year will be about I5% less than last year's, with supplies falling 30"%,40'1(% below the level desired for this year's spring wheat crop. New Delhi is attempting to increase domestic fertilizer output by reducing gasoline use by 25%. The Philippines expects to import only about one-half of the nitrogen fertilizer originally planned for 1974. Domestic production, normally accounting for half of the country's needs, is off about 30'/, because of shortages of refinery gas and diesel oil; imports, mostly from Japan, were off by 50`% in the last quarter of 1973. The Philippine government is considering having farmers revert to the older rice strains because of the Fertilizer shortage. Indonesia plans to produce about 100,000 tons of nitrogen in 1974 but expects imports to fall 140,000 tons short of the 500,000 tons needed. The further tightening of the world fertilizer situation reduces the prospects of substantial gains in world food output in 1974. Even though weather remains the key determining factor in the short run, the failure of fertilizer supplies to increase in many LDCs will be a blow to plans for rapid increases in food output. SECRET 24 January 1974 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 DOMESTIC ECONOMIC INDICATORS GNP' Constant Market Prices Avernge Annual druwlh limn Since I'nicest Change latest it Prevmus I Year Previous boost Ouarler Quarter 19711 Earlier Quarter Month United States 73 III 5.0 5.7 3.7 ;lnited States Doc 73 Japan 73 III 0.5 10.0 2.0 Japan Doc 73 West Germany 73 111 3.3 5.3 0.5 West Germany Nov 73 France 73 11 6.2 8.7 2.9 France Nov 7:s United Kingdom 73 III 4.5 11.3 3.0 United Kingdom Doc 73 Italy 73 I 3.1 5.2 3.4 Italy Nov 73 Canada 73111 5.7 0.9 1.7 Canada Nov 73 United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada Avengle Annual Growth Rule state I'mcent Change train PlOVil)(IS I Year 3 Mon Its Month 19111 Earlier rather 6.0 15.0 32.0 8.9 29.0 61.6 5.1 8.2 0.3 8.0 I9.9 27.4 8.0 10.2 15.8 9.0 21.1 17.5 10.2 24.8 6.1 Average Annual Growth Rate Since Average Annual Growth Rate Since Percent Chan go Latest [ram Previous I Year 3 Montle I'er cent Change Latest from Previous I Year 3 Month Month Doc 73 Month -9.2 197U 5.6 Earlier 5.4 Earlier?? 1.3 Unite hates Month Nov 73 Month 0.7 1970 5.1 Earlier 8 4 s Earlier 7 6 Nov 73 0.4 9.3 16.8 14.0 Japan Nov 73 1.0 8.2 . 15.9 . 18 4 Oct 73 -1.1 3.8 0.5 7.7 West Germany Nov 73 1.3 6.1 7.4 . 9 5 Nov 73 1.5 7.3 7.4 -2.6 France Nov 73 0.9 8.7 8.4 . 12 1 Nov 73 0.4 3.5 4.1 1.6 United Kingdom Nov 73 0.8 8.9 10.4 . 15 7 Nov 73 10.1 7.0 20.2 35.3 Italy Doc 73 1.7 7.7 12.3 . . 5 4 Sep 73 1.8 8.0 8.3 -3.4 Canada Dec 73 0.6 5.8 9.1 . 6.7 RETAIL SALES" Current Prices United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada Percent Change Larest from Previous Month Month 1970 Dec 73 -1.3 10.2 Aug 73 -0.1 12.6 Oct 73 4.1 9.1 Oct 73 2.2 8.5 Aug 73 0.7 11.1 Aug 73 8.7 12.4 Nov 73 0.3 10.1 United States Japan Wese Germany France Unite'; Kingdom Canada Euro-Dollars 24 Jan 74 Representative Rates Prime finance paper Call money Interbank loans (3 Months Call money Local authority deposits Finance paper Three-month deposits Average Annual Growth Hale Since 1 Year Earlier 7.8 21.0 9.2 12.5 12.1 19.0 10.5 3 Months Earlier'' 4.1 16.9 1.2 3.1 14.8 5.0 8.0 WHOLESALE PRICES Industrial United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada Percent Change Latest from Previous Month Month Dec 73 O.b Sp73 4.0 Oct 73 -0 5 Oct 73 0.4 Doc 73 -0.2 Jun 73 2.8 Nov 73 -2.2 Lates I Year 3 Months I Month t Date Earlier Earlier Earlier 18 Jan 1 7.75 5.38 7.75 8.,5 11 Jan 11.50 4.88 8.75 10.00 18 Jan 11.75 8.00 14.38 13.00 18 Jan 13.25 7.00 11.00 11.88 18 Jan 15.50 5.81 12.88 15.94 18 Jan 9.38 5.25 9.00 9.50 18 Jan 9.83 6.08 9.75 11.00 Average Annual Growth Rate Since I Year 3 Months 1970 Earlier Earlier 7.2 4.9 3.7 18.7 27.0 6.8 8.3 -0.6 -8.9 12.0 7.4 2.5 9.8 3.8 -7.1 20.8 22.2 26.5 12.3 9.6 4.9 'Seasonally adjusted. "Averaps for latest 3 months compared whh av.raps for previous 3 months. Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2 United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada IMPORTS' fah. United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada EXTERNAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS EXPORT PRICES Latucr Y;unth Millian US S 1973 1972 Nov 73 0,020 93,060 44,600 Doc 73 3.404 35,930 1.7,878 Nov 73 0,751 02,405 42,469 Doc 73 3,178 30,836 26,398 Doc 73 2,384 28,401 22,815 Nov 73 2,004 19,831 10,549 Oct 73 2,149 20,233 10,420 Million US S 1973 1972 Nov 73 6,730 03,086 50,551 Dec '3 3,452 31,905 18,995 Nov 73 4,972 47,270 34,465 Doc 73 2,972 35,428 25,268 Dec 73 3,154 33,946 24,627 Nov 73 1,501 21,973 15,296 Oct 73 2,106 19,020 15,463 TRADE BALANCE' f.o.b./f.o.b. United States Japan West Germany France United K:ngdorn Italy Canada Percege nt Chan 43.0 20.9 40.9 39.5 244 19.8 23.2 Par cant Change 24.8 68.0 37.2 40.2 37.8 43.6 23.0 Nov 73 Dec 73 Nov /3 Dec 73 Doc 73 Nov 73 Oct 73 90 - 48 1,779 205 - 770 23 43 774 4,024 15,136 1,408 -5,485 -2,143 1,213 1972 -5,891 8,883 8,004 1,129 -1,751 1,253 957 Change 6,6ca -4,859 7,132 27C -3,734 -5,395 257 BASIC BALANCE" Current and Long?Term-Cap'tal Transactions United States' Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada Latest Period Cumulative (Million US S) Million US S 1973 73 111 12,540 990 Nov73 -8,471 Oct 73 925 3,445 73 II 17 -559 73111 -522 -1,844 72 IV 800 NA. 7311 93 -151 United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada Nov 73 Dec 73 Oct 73 Dec 73 Dec 73 Oct 73 Dec 73 14.4 12.2 39.8 8.0 6.5 8.2 5.8 16.3 4.1 8.8 4.4 2.8 4.7 4.3 1972 -8,400 1,907 3,867 -202 -1,347 2,983 434 1 Year Earlier 13.3 18.4 23.9 10.0 5.6 6.3 6.1 'Seasonally adjusted, "Converted Into US dollars at current market rates of exchange. Change 9.390 0.378 -421 -357 - 497 N .A. -585 3 Mo4ths Earlier 14.0 14.8 42.4 9.9 6.4 5.7 5.5 United Status Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada EXPORT PRICES National Currency United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada IMPORT PRICES National Currency United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada Average Annuol Grnwlll Rate Since Latest train Previous I Year ;1 Munlhs Month Month 1970 Earlier F rrher Nav 73 1.4 9.2 21.5 13,8 Rep 73 1.7 13.2 25.1 39 9 Oct 73 2.0 15.5 38.2 -5.2 Sop 73 ,5 15.6 35.2 11.5 Sep 73 -1.8 9.6 12.8 -8.1 Aug 73 2.4 10.7 18.4 40.5 Sep 73 2.2 1.5 17.0 33.5 Average Annual Gruwth Rate Since ('urcenl Charige _" iateal Iran) Previous I Year Month Month 19111 Earlier Nov 73 1.4 9,2 21.5 Sep 73 1.8 3.3 10.2 Oct 73 1.7 1.8 4.6 Sep 73 2.7 6.3 14.3 Sep 73 0.5 9.1 12.8 Aug 73 on 7.8 16.7 Sep 73 2.2 6.3 18.7 Percent Change Latest from Prev,aus Month Month Nov 73 Sep 73 Oct 73 Sep 73 Sep 73 Aug 73 Sep 73 3.4 0.7 1.9 4.0 5.5 3.5 0.7 3 Munlhs rather 18.8 41.4 4.5 12.4 15.5 30.0 33.5 Average Annual Growth Rate Since 1970 12.3 2.8 0.7 8.0 14.8 13.4 5.4 1 Year 3 Months Earlier Earlier 26.5 14.1 4.3 11.9 41.5 J. 121) EXCHANGE RATES Spot Rate As at 18Jan74 Japan(Yen) West Germany iD ;tklel'e France nraocl lPound United Kingdom sterling) Italy (Laa) Canada (Dollar) US S Per Unit 0.0033 0.3556 0.2018 2.1870 0.0016 1.0074 Dec 66 20.80 41.45 -0.05 -21.63 -2.87 9.22 18 Dec 1971 2.85 14.60 2.49 -16.07 - 9.59 0.96 19 Mar 1973 -12.36 0.42 -8.44 -11.13 -12.15 0.97 As of 18Jan74 United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada Dec 66 -11.71 12.85 2A.03 -15.22 37.51 17.57 7.93 33.5 23.4 16.8 45.1 65.2 72.6 11.5 4 Jan 1974 -6.66 -1.03 -2.56 -3.91 -3.60 0.02 18 Dec 19 Mar 4 Jan 1971 1973 1974 2.50 4.13 2.28 0.77 -12.60 - 6.31 11.23 6.26 1.34 - 1.97 -4.42 -0.59 -23.271 - 8.88 -2.29 -16.38 9.57 - 1.88 1.30 2.93 0.89 '''Weighting is based an each listed country's trade with 16 other industrialized countries to reflect the competitive impact of exchange-rate variations A 2 among As major currencies. Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/09/20: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150004-2