ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY

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CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150014-1
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RIPPUB
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S
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19
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December 22, 2016
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September 29, 2009
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14
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Publication Date: 
March 28, 1974
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REPORT
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Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 1,4 Secret Economic Intelligence Weekly LCjrj C;Ipy X31 I7, ti. Secret CIA No. 8027/74 28 March 1974 Copy N2 204 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 SI?( 11 RI 'I' Beginning with the next issue (3 April) the Economic Intelligence Weekly will be published on Wednesday. Dollar Decline Likely to Continue Problems caused for the European joint float. Cash Purchase from West Germany Reflects Soviet Financial Strength Moscow bypasses credit in arranging for billion-dollar steel plant. Japan Seeks More Grain from Non-US Suppliers Grain imports iron, the United States, which jumped 60% in 1973, will stay about the same in 1974. Pa E France Moves to Curb Trade Deficit Paris takes vigorous measures to boost exports. 5 China Uses Credits to Finance Growing Imports Peking sheds traditional reluctance to go into debt. 6 South Korea: Slowdown Ahead Higher oil bills and slack demand for exports may halve last year's 17% growth rate. 6 EC Sets New Aariiultural Prices Major comprotaises on all sides permit quick agreement on 1974/75 fare, price,,,. 8 British-French Cooperation on Telephone Switching Systems US-Romanian Diesel Engine Venture 13 10 25X1 10 11 Note: Comments and queries regarding this publication are welcomed. They may be d:tccted to Mrs. SECRET 28 March 1974 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 SECRET Pa ie 11 II 11 EC Export Credit Agreement 12 Chile: Improved Balance of Payments 12 Higher Panama Canal Tolls Spark Protests 12 Summary of a Recent Publication Comparative Indicators Recent Data Concerning Internal and External Economic Activity 'ncc oil situation is now being covorcd mainly in International Oil Developments, published each Friday morning. SECRET 28 March 1974 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 S1',(:IZI1'1' ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY Articles DOLLAR DECLINE LIKELY TO CONTINUE The dollar fell sharply during the last two weeks against all major cur,.,acies, and a further drop seems likely before the trend is reversed. By declining 4.5% against the mark and by I-1/2%% to 3% against other major currencies, the dollar has essentially lost the remainder of the gains made following the imposition of the Arab oil e.nbargo. Several factors contributed to the dollar's decline: ? Speculation that Germany's February trade surplus would be a record and lead to another mark revaluation. Bonn apparently is withholding official announcement of the surplus until the currency exchanges close on Friday. We believe that the surplus will substantially exceed last October's record $1.6 billion. ? A statement to the press by British Trade Secretary Peter Shore tli it the United Kingdom was con.;idering new import controls to reduce the record trade deficit expected in 1974. (Such controls have now been ruled out.) G The lifting of the Arab oil embargo, which is expected to result in greatly increased US oil imports and a further deterioration in the US trade account. ? The apparent absence of central bank intervention in recent weeks to support the dollar, coupled with concern about accelerating inflation in the United States. As in the past, the dollar's decline was accompanied by internal pressure on the European joint float. The mark -- traditionally favored by speculators -- rose to the top of the European currency band, requiring heavy Belgian and German intervention in the market. The upward movement of the mark was aided by high German interest rates. Continuing internal pressure among joint float currencies could force a mark, and possibly guilder, revaluation or a devaluation of the Belgian franc. The Belgians, concerned about the competitiveness of their exports, do not want their currency to appreciate relative to the currencies of trading SECR1T 28 March 1974 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 SII"("RI1" ' Percent Change In the Value of the US Dollar Relative to Selected Foreign Currencies Compared With January 2, 1973 10r- ~Clrnrrgo In the Trndo-Wofghted Average Value of the Dollnr'J J ir, inesc Yen rte itch Franc, l i i i r l r r r I. r_JJ r r r L u ~_l JJ_J_ 1_~LI_11j Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Ian '-Lb ' 0 15 77 71 Mar 1973 1974 partners outside the float. The Bundesbank seems determined to maintain a tight money policy despite Minister of Finance Schmidt's concern with rising unemployment and Germany's conlnlltment to thr currency band. CASH PURCHASE FROM WEST GERMANY REFLECTS SOVIET FINANCIAL STRENGTH Moscow's decision last week to pay cash for West German steelmaking equipment reflects brighter Soviet export prospects and :educe(l pressure for Western credits. On 21 March the USSR and a consortium of three West German firms signed a contract for the first stage of construction of it $1 billion iron ore pellet and steel plant at Kursk. Following preliminary agreement on the project last December, negotiations stalled over the question of financing. S EC, R l+,'J' 28 March 1974 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85TOO875RO01500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 SI?(:RE'I' Moscow uncharacteristically dropped its demand for concessionary terms, possibly to avoid a showdown that could endanger Soviet-West German detente. But another factor was the more sanguine prospects for the USSR's hard currency balance of payments. Although Soviet imports of machinery and equipment will grow substantially in 1974, imports of Western grain are expected to be half' or less of their 1973 level. Much higher export earnings should move the trade account into balance, an improvement of approximately $2 billion compared with 1973. Additional revenues from invisibles and gold sales could provide the USSR wish a hard currency surplus of as much as $1 billion in 1974. Exports and hard currency surpluses promise to be even larger in 1975-76. Sharp increases in world market prices for major Soviet exports -- crude oil, wood products, chemicals -- are the principal cause of the charge in the trade outlook. Exports to the hard currency area should increase by 35% per year in 1974-76. Supported by Soviet imports from the Middle East under barter arrangements, hard currency earnings from oil exports alone could rise to $3 billion in 1974, pushing total Soviet hard currency exports to $6 billion -- more than double the i972 lev':d. With hard currency earnings on the upswing, the USSR will be 1'ss dependent on long-term credits for machinery imports and can avoid increasing its already sizable debt burden. Moscow Will Continue to press for long-term, low-interest credits -- especially for multibillion dollar projects such as the LNG proposals. But the Soviets now Appear willing and able to buy for cash when other considerations - economic and political -- outweigh the advantages of credit. JAPAN SEEKS MORE GRAIN FROM NON-US SUPPL.IERS The expected 5% increase in Japanese imports of grain and soybeans in 1974 will conic largely from non-US suppliers. Grain imports from the United States, which jumped by 60% in 1973, will increase only slightly this year. Declining purchases of US wheat are SECRET Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 SE,,CRE']' Japanese Imports of Grain and Soybeans Wheat Total United States Corn Total United States Grain sorghums Total United States Soybeans Total United States 1973 1974 1972 Estimated Projected 5.1 5.4 5.5 2.5 3.5 3.C 6.1 7.7 8.0 3.4 6.5 7.0 3.5 3.7 4.3 2.0 2.7 2.8 3.4 3.6 3.7 3.1 3.2 3.3 expected to largely offset rising purchases of corn and grain sorghums. Imports of US soybeans probably will increase about 3%, the same as in 1973. Several developments that led to increased Japanese demand for grain and soybeans in 1973 will not recur this year. Abnormally large imports of feed grains were needed to replace rice, a major source of animal feed until stocks ran out, and to accommodate a big increase in livestock numbers. In addition, grain and soybeans were imported to build up stocks in anticipation of shortages. Wheat stocks were raised from 50 days to 70 days of consumption and soybeans from 45 days to 60 days, no1:withstanding the temporary embargo on US exports last summer. The sharply higher demand in 1973, combined with crop shortfalls experienced by other traditional suppliers, led to the surge in imports from the United States. This year Australia will ship one million tons of wheat and nearly one million tons of grain sorghums compared with only 235,000 tons and 500,000 tons, respectively, last year. Japanese corn imports from Thailand, which totaled about 300,000 tons in 1973, are expected to mere than double this year; imports of South African corn also will pick up. Total grain imports from non-US suppliers probably will increase by 20% Japan's recourse to other suppliers will ease pressure oil US wheat supplies. Tokyo has agreed to halt buying until the 1974 crop is available. Pressure on US feed grain supplies will continue. Already the largest buyer of US feed grains, Japan will, increase its purchase s his year by an estimated 600,000 tons, or 7%. 25X1 SECRET Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150014-1 SI'CRE]' FRANCE MOVES TO CURB TRADE DEFICIT Paris last week revealed further plans to trim the large trade deficit forecast for 1974-75 and to balance the trade account by 1976. The new plans came hard on the feels of the announceinent of a sobering $300 million trade deficit for February. The measures establish an $835 million fund to help finance investment in export industries, expand risk coverage under export insurance guarantees, and raise guarantee ceilings for some countries, notably those benefiting from higher oil reve;iues. Special efforts will be made to promote exports to Indonesia, Nigeria, and Venezuela - non-Arab oil countries with ambitious industrialization plans. Paris has assumed a more aggressive posture since higher oil payments threatened to turn a previously anticipated surplus into a $3.5 billion deficit for 1974. ? In mid-January, France withdrew the franc from the European joint float to protect its reserve holdings and to improve its competitive trade position. ? It has pursued barter agreements with producing countries to cover part of the increased oil bill. Agreements have been signed with Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi; other swaps of military and industrial equipment for oil are being negotiated with Iran, Libya, Abu Dhabi, and Kuwait. ? In early March, Paris announced an extensive energy development program to hold oil consumption at 1973 levels indefinitely. The key to the program is accelerated installation of nuclear capacity, which is to generate about 70% of France's electricity by 1985. The export promotion schemes are unlikely to have an appreciable impact on this year's trade balance and appear insufficient to restore equilibrium by 1976, as planned. Export growth will be depressed by reduced demand in other European countries, which account for 70% of French sales. The 3% devaluation of the franc (on a trade-weighted basis) in the first quarter will do little to improve France's competitive position, and Paris will be vying with Tokyo, Bonn, and other capitals in closing barter deals with oil-producing countries. 5 SECRET 28 March 1974 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 S 1', ;(; R E'1' CHINA USES CREDITS TO FINANCE GROWING IMPORTS* Traditionally reluctant to incur foreign debt, China has been rapidly expanding its use of short-term and medium-term credit to finance imports from the non-Communist world. Increased purchases of grain and machinery last year led to a trade deficit with non-Communist countries of $400 million to $500 million. Sizable deficits are expected to continue. China has signed grain contracts for 1974-76 with Canada, Australia, and Argentina, and additional purchases from the United States are likely. Deliveries on the "1.2 billion in contracts for industrial plants signed in 1973 will gather momentum; a like volume of new contracts is already under negotiation for 1974; and China's needs for foreign technology and equipment will continue unabated over the next several years. China's drawings on foreign credits totaled about $550 million in 1973 and will reach about $1.4 billion in 1974. Even though the ratio of debt service obligations to exports will rise sharply in 1974 and remain high, the ratio will almost certainly remain within a manageable limit of 25%. Continued rapid growth in export earnings - petroleum probably can provide more than one-half billion dollars annually in a few years - will help China pursue its present foreign trade policy without dangerously drawing down reserves, now estimated at $1.5 billion. If Peking further shifts its policy and follows the Soviet example of seeking long-term credits and self-liquidating loans, even higher levels of imports would be possible without greatly increasing annual debt service. China so far has shown no disposition to follow Moscow's venturesome example. For further details, see CIA ER IR 74-7, China: Financing Capitalist 71?ede, March 1974, SOUTH KOREA: SLOWDOWN AHEAD Real GNP growth in South Korea "probably will slow to 6% to 8% compared with the 17% increase of 1973, which had put South Korea toward this front of the international GNP sweepstakes. The chief cause of the slowdown will be slack foreign demand for South Korean goods. The ROK is especially affected by the economic climate in japan and the United States, which take 70% of its exports. 6 SECRET 28 March 1974 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85TOO875RO01500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 SECRET (teal GNP Annual Percentage Increase Exports Million US $ UNIIEO STATES JAPAN OTHER Trade Balance Million US $ Industrial Production Annual Percentage Increase Imports Million US $ R UNITED STATES JAPAN OTHER $2,178 x52,294 589 SOUTH KOREA Selected Economic Indicators SECRET Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 Si CRE7' Because cyclical factors and soaring oil bills will reduce economic growth in most developed countries, South Korea's exports, by volume, in 1974 probably will increase by only 15%. This increase compares with a 90% gain last year, when exports accounted for nearly all the growth in GNP. Strong domestic demand will help ease the impact on industry. The government estimates that industrial output will rise 15% this year compared with 35% in 1973. Most industrial firms should be able to adjust to the lower growth rate without difficulty; firms that borrowed heavily to expand their capacity last year could face bankruptcy. As for inflation, wholesale prices rose 15% during 1973 because of runaway prices for imported foodstuffs and raw materials. Since December, prices have risen another 20%, in part because of the trimming of price controls. The rate of inflation should slow during the second half of 1974, especially if world prices of fuels and foodstuffs level off. Higher oil prices and slackening export growth will boost the current account deficit to an estimated $1 billion in 1974, up from $340 million in 1973. Because industry is a heavy user of petroleum products, South Korea's oil import bill will increase by about $600 million - more than for any other LDC except Brazil and India. To offset the current account deficit, Seoul hopes to attract $1 billion in long-term capital and substantially increase short-term borrowing, to $400 million. Korea will be aided in obtaining funds by the notable improvement in its foreign debt position last year. Debt service payments equaled only 10% of export earnings in 1973 compared with 20% in 1971. In surprisingly short order, EC agricultural ministers reached agreement last week on Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) support prices for the upcoming crop year. A compromise was struck between countries such as the United kingdom that are intent on holding down retail food prices and countries such as France that want to curry favor with strong domestic farm organizations. Fear that a stalemate would threaten the whole CAP structure helped speed the key decision to raise farm prices by an average 8-1/2% -- less than Paris wanted but more than the EC Commission had recommended. SECRET 28 March 1974 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 S UIC 1Z 111" 1' Selected Factors ie EC Grain Marketing Prices (US $ Per Ton) 19 March 1974 1973 Imports CAP Support Domestic from the United States (1974/75 Crop Year) Market hnportst (Thousand Tons) Wheat (Durum) 221 290 300 2,100 Corn 132 156 145 10,000 11--rley 134 159 146 270 Because EC market prices on most farm products exceed the new support prices, consumers will not immediately be affected. Imports of agricultural goods, especially grains from the United States, will be able to enter the EC without a levy so long as world prices remain at their present level. In the few cases where new support prices exceed current market prices, deviations from EC policy were conceded. The United Kingdom and Ireland, for example, are allowed to subsidize calf and pig farmers directly rather than burden consumers with support price increases. To avoid a reduction in the CAP support price for butter, Britain was authorized a higher government subsidy than that allowed other members. Italy was granted another year's special subsidy for olive oil. In a conciliatory gesture to Paris, the ministerial council also adopted a CAP program to encourage soybean production, which is currently extremely small. The anticipated regulations are expected to take the form of production subsidies rather than the traditional CAP import levies. SECRET 28 March 1974 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 SIi,CIZ 11" 1' British-French Cooperation on Telephone Switching Systems Plessey Telecommunications of Britain and CIT/Alcatel of France have agreed to jointly develop and manufacture digital telephone switching systems for marketing in Western Europe and in the less developed countries. The agreement, which stands as a challenge to the American-dominated ITT on world export markets, has been hailed as the most significant telecommunications venture since the formation of the Common Market. Plessey estimates potential sales of digital switching centers at $1.2 billion per year by 1980 SECRET 28 March 1974 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 US-Romanian Diesel Engine '/enture The Cummins [?ngine Company, a major US manufacturer of diesel engines, expects to reach agreement soon with Romania on a joint venture to build 17,000 engines a year at Romania's CIAT plant. Cummins would supply licenses, technology, and certain components and receive one-third.) ownership and a share in the profits from new markets. Cummins would also buy a third of the engines for its overseas markets and various components for use in its US and foreign plants. Poland and the USSR are charging record prices in international markets for urea. Poland will export 180,000 tons to India for $285 per ton, more than four timts the $65 price Indio paid to Poland in early 1973. Poland also exported 50,000 tons to the Philippines for $250 per ton and 10,000 tons to Thailand at a price of $310 per ton (f.o.b.). In January the USSR sold 40,000 tons to Indonesia for $265 per ton, compared with the price of $150 per ton charged four months earlier. 11 SECRET 28 March 1974 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 EC Export Credit Agreement The EC is nearing an accord that would set a minimum interest rate of TA on export credits and establish limits on their duration. At present, some governments subsidize exports by making up the difference between the contracted and the market rate of i~iterest. West Germiny strongly supports the EC proposal; France and Italy have been reluctant to go along. Once EC members coordinate their positions they intend to ask other principal e ,-porting countries, particularly the United States and Japan, to adopt similar credit terms. Chile: Improved Balance of Payments Record copper exports and last week's rescheduling of $490 million of the $641 million debt repayments due major Western creditors have improved the outlook for Chile's 1974 balance of payments. High prices and record output will raise copper exports to an estimated $1.6 billion. The trade deficit now is expected to be only $200 million, despite food and petroleum imports of $1.0 billion. Even with these improvements, the balance-of-payments problem remains serious. Additional foreign credits will be required to cover the deficit this yoar. Higher Panama Canal Tolls Spark Protests Several west coast Latin American countries, led by Peru, are vigorously protesting possible increases in Panama Canal tolls. Representatives at a recent meeting of the OAS Special Committee for Consultation and Negotiations contended that a proposed 20% hike in charges would have detrimental effects on key economic sectors. Forty percent of Peru's foreign trade passes through the canal; the increase would probably add more than a million dollars to an alnoady difficult balance-of-payments situation. Publication of Interest Growing Competition in the World Market for Uranium Enrichment Services (CIA ER I'; 74-6, March 1974, This report assesses recent developments and prospects in the world market for enriched uranium to fuel nuclear powerplants, with emphasis on non-Communist countries. It reviews estimates of demand for enriched uranium, summarizes changes in enrichment capacity, and considers whether planned capacity will be able to satisfy growing requirements for uranium enrichment services. SECRET 28 March 1974 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 GNP" Coos) lot Market Prices United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada RETAIL SALES" Current Prices United States Japan West Germany France united Kingdom Italy Canada United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Canada Eui, -Dollars Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 I'en.col Chaney lalesl hoop Prevmus Quarter Quarter 73 IV 73 IV 73 IV 73 111 73 III 73 I '3 IV 28 March 1974 Office of Economic Research/CIA INTERNAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS 0.4 1.4 0.1 0.9 1.3 0.8 2.8 1910 4.7 0.3 3.1 5.6 3.9 3.1 6.1 Percent Champ lalesl from Previous Month Month 197U Feb 74 -0.6 4.8 Jan 74 1.3 8.9 Doc 73 0.9 4.4 Dec 73 -4.4 5.7 Jan 74 -6.7 0.1 Doc 73 - 7.5 4.4 Dec 73 -0.1 6.3 Percent Change lalesl ruin Previous Month Month 19111 Feb 74 - 0.7 9.8 Nov 73 3.4 14.6 Dec 73 0.5 7.8 Nov 73 -2.4 5.6 Nov 73 03 12 1 Aug 73 6.7 12.4 Doc 73 -0.9 10.6 Represenlatrve Rates Primo finance paper Call money Interbank loans(Worths) Call money Local authority deposits Finance paper Three-month deposits Averup! Annul Growth (late Solon I Year E.alhel 4.11 7.3 3.4 0.1 6.11 5.2 7.2 CONSUMER PRICES Avmnge Annual Averuj' Annual Growth [late since Growth Rate Since ---- Ihn -- cool Change -- latest Iron Prewons month Month 19111 Feb 74 1.3 5.6 Jan 74 4.3 10.2 Jan 74 0.7 6.2 Jan 74 1.7 7.1 Feb 74 1.7 9.5 Dec 73 1.4 7.7 Feb 74 1.0 5.8 I Year [aihcr 1.6 10.8 6.2 2.1 -7.0 12.8 4.7 Average Annual Growth Rate Since I Year Earlier 6.0 27.4 5.8 15.2 14.8 19.0 13.7 8 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar 15 Mar Pluwnus Quarter 1.5 5.8 0.3 3.8 5.2 3.4 11.6 3 Mudhs Earle. -4.0 7.5 9.0 0 -17.7 22.3 9.9 3 Maulhs Earlier" - 3.4 32.0 7.6 20.1 21.9 5.0 9.3 I Year Latest Date Earlier 15 Mar I 7.75 6.63 12.50 5.50 11.13 8.44 12.13 7.50 15.50 7.61 b.38 5.13 8.88 8.63 WHOLESALE PRICES United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada 3 Months Earlier 8.75 10.00 13.00 11.88 15.94 9.50 11.00 1 Month Earlier 7.38 12.00 10.63 12.00 15.69 8.50 8.31 Avuralle Annual Grnwih flat(! since I'rncenl fhaugr ------ ----- lalesl Irani Prevmus Month Month 19711 Fob 74 1.4 I 7.4 Full 14 s.8 11.3 Doc 73 0.9 5.3 Jan 74 5.3 10.0 Full 74 2.9 9.3 Nov 73 1.6 9.0 Doc 73 0.6 8.5 Percent Clumme Latest from Previous Month Month Feb 74 1.2 Dec 73 0.1 Doc 73 0.9 Doc 73 5.0 Feb 74 0.5 Sop 73 1.4 Feb 74 0 19111 7.4 17.5 9.1 13.2 9.0 20.7 13.0 I Year hu her 17.6 37.6 8.8 26.6 15.5 21.1 18.3 1 Year [artier 10.1 23.1 7.4 10.3 13.2 12.5 9.6 Average Annual Growth (late Since 1 Year Earlier 6.1 16.7 0.2 9.7 3.6 23.3 11.6 "Seahonally adjusted. -Average for latest 3 months compared with average for previous 3 months. 3 Months Eaihen 29.8 89.7 11.0 50.0 31.3 17.5 19.5 3 Months Earlier 12.1 41.9 11.8 13.6 19.0 14.5 9.9 3 Months Earlier 9.2 14.7 5.1 14.2 0.2 24.7 13.3 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1 EXTERNAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS EXPORTS" Iub United States Japan West Germany Franca Uif iIaL' Kingdom Italy Canada IMPORTS' fob United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada Cunudalwe latest Molllh -- _...._.._...... Million us S Million US 3 1973 1972 Jan 74 I 7,110 70,790 49,221 Feb 74 3.623 35,989 27,910 Jan 74 7,014 67,643 46,725 Feb 14 3,412 36,671, 26,378 Jan 74 2,261) 2P,'I93 2,,809 tec 73 2,553 22,286 18,570 a, t 74 2,444 25,197 20,266 Latest Month Million IIS $ Jan 74 6,470 Feb 74 4,036 Jan 74 4,907 Feb 74 3,714 Jan 74 3,132 Dec 73 2,973 Jan 74 2,226 TRADE BALANCE' l.o.b /I oh. United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada I'un:eul Change 43.8 2)1.9 44.8 1,9.1) 24.2 20.0 24.3 Percent Chanec 24.3 69.5 35.9 39.7 37,6 44,4 23.6 Jan 74 Feb 74 Jan 74 Feb 74 Jan 74 Dec 73 Jan 74 73 IV Feb 74 Dec 73 73 III 73 III 72 IV 73 III BASIC BALANCE" Current and Long-Term Capital Transactions United States' Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada 640 -414 2,027 -303 -852 -420 218 Cumulative Million US s 1973 I11/] 69,076 32,314 51,644 35,272 33,873 24,033 23,504 3,675 15,999 1,402 -5,480 -2,548 1,892 55,553 19,003 37,990 25,250 24,619 17,196 18,051 -6,332 8,046 8,854 -5,178 8,735 7,264 1,129 273 -1,749 -3.731 1,374 -3,922 1,414 478 Million US S 1973 I 200 1,186 1,670 -9,702 193 - 1,482 -521 800 238 1,950 - 2,139 1,840 N.A. 267 1972 -9,838 2,137 4.506 - 202 -1,252 2,983 574 Chan 11,839 -616 - 1,838 - 587 N.A. - 308 Latest Month End of Billion US S Jut 1970 Jan 74 14.6 Feb 74 11.9 Jan 74 32.2 Feb 74 7.5 Feb 74 6.0 Jan 74 6.0 Feb 74 6.2 16.3 4.1 8.8 4.4 2.8 4.7 4.3 1 Year Father 13.1 19.1 23.7 10.6 5.9 5.8 6.2 'Seasonally adjusted. "Converted into US dollars at current market rates of exchange. 28 Marco 1974 3 Mmttlis Earber 14.4 13.2 35.0 8.6 6.6 6.2 EXPORT PRICES 11SS United Status Japan West Germany France United Kingdom 11 it Iy Canada EXPORT PRICES National Currency United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom It..iy Canada IMPORT PRICES National Ccrroi:r.y United ot, as Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada Avenole Aueual (inlwih Hate Since I'urcenl Change Latest from 14eviow, I Yeal 3 Munihs Mondt Month Illlll Luber Luhur Jan 74 11.0 10.2 26.6 21.5 Nov 73 -0.8 13.2 27.4 11.6 Ouc 73 -0.0 12.4 25.7 18.3 Oct 73 2.6 15.9 31.9 15.7 Doc 73 0.1 8.7 17.3 12.4 Sep 73 3.4 11.2 22.3 51.7 Nov 73 4.9 9.5 22.5 42.9 1'cu.enl Change - Latest Inuo Ptovunis Month Month 19111 Jun 74 0.0 10.2 Nov 73 3.6 4.8 Dec 73 2.1 2.4 Oct 73 1.8 6.6 Dec 73 3.1 9.8 Sep 73 08 7.7 Nov 71 I 4.6 8.0 I'clcent hhange Latest Irons Plevinus Aver,me Annual Glowlll Hale Slott! 1 Yen [mhel 26.6 14.9 4.3 10.7 18.8 18.7 24.5 3 Months Lill hel 27.5 34.1 17.6 34.9 334 21.4 40.1 Ave, age Annual Growth Hale Since I Yon [Jr her 34.4 19.8 13.8 14.3 43.1 34.2 13.6 Month Month 19111 Jan 74 3.7 14.3 Nov 73 3.7 4.6 Dec 73 4.7 3.3 Oct 73 -1.5 5.3 Dec 73 5.2 1)1.4 Sep 73 0 13.2 Nov 73 0.3 5.5 EXCHANGE RATES Spot Rate As of 12 March 74 Japanohinl) West German 1Uosdle V Mamrcl France eland IPuund United Kingdom SIerlulgl Italy ILral Canada (Dollar) Us3 Per Lne 0.00:161 0.39060 0.2086,1 2.34050 0.00160 1.02980 Dec 66 30.84 55.37 3.32 -16.13 0.12 11.64 TRADE-WEIGHTED As of 22 March 74 United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada 18 Uec 1971 11.18 25.88 5.94 -10.17 -6.80 3.21 19 Mal 197"1 -5.07 10.31 -5.35 -4.90 -9.44 3.22 Dec 66 -17.13 19.40 32.38 -18.75 _3 5.43 -20.81 8.53 10 Dec 1971 - 7.70 5.54 15.33 -5.34 -21.18 -19.53 1.92 19 Mar 1973 -0.98 -6.43 10.30 - 7.78 -6.79 -12.67 3.56 3 Months [ar her 31.0 54.2 35.2 53.1 44.1 8.1 15 Mar 1974 1.86 3.50 1.07 0.32 2.36 0.20 15 Mar 1974 - 1.19 1.39 1.89 -1.05 - 1.08 0.50 -0.13 "'Weighting is based on each listed country's trade with 18 other industrialized countries to reflect the competitive impact of exchaege?rate variations among the major currencies. Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150014-1