ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY

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Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150028-6
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RIPPUB
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S
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18
Document Creation Date: 
December 22, 2016
Document Release Date: 
September 28, 2009
Sequence Number: 
28
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Publication Date: 
June 26, 1974
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REPORT
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Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Secret Economic Intelligence Weekly Secret CIA No. 8131/74 26 June 1974 Copy N2 360 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Secret Italy's Austerity Program: A Possible Reprieve Proposed measures may improve credit standing and decrease import bill. I China: Trade Boom Continues Petroleum exports and expanded use of credits help finance record purchases of grain and machinery. 2 Argentina: Wage-Price Pact Under Stress The stabilization program is being eroded by shortages, labor unrest, and declining profits. 3 Mexico: Friendlier Reception for Foreign Investment Major projects involving 100% US ownership have been approved in spite of new investment law. Developed Countries: Employment Holding Up As the slowdown continues, firms will be more reluctant to retain excess workers. Portugal: New Freedom, New Problems The Spinola government has promised more than it can deliver. Surinam: Alcoa Bauxite Holdings at Stake Soviets May Help on Itaipu Dam Summary of a Recent Publication Comparative Indicators Recent Data Concerning Internal and External Economic Activities i Secret 12 12 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Secret ECONOMIC INTELLIGENCE WEEKLY Articles ITALY'S AUSTERITY PROGRAM: A POSSIBLE REPRIEVE The austerity program devised by the Rumor government last week should improve Italy's credit standing and trim at least $1 billion from the 1974 import bill. The proposed fiscal and monetary measures represent a compromise between the Christian Democrats, who favored draconian measures to curb imports and inflation, and the Socialists, who wished to maintain employment and increase welfare spending. The patchwork program aims to boost tax revenues by $4.7 billion annually while reducing the income tax bite on low-income groups. As a concession to the Socialists, the Christian Democrats agreed to ease credit slightly. Failure to obtain approval of the program in parliament and in labor union councils would bring down the government. While the coalition parties probably can exercise enough self-discipline to get the measures through parliament, labor union cooperation is less certain. The unions may go along with the program for the time being; but if prices continue to rise rapidly at the same time taxes are cutting more deeply into income, trade union cooperation almost certainly will evaporate. Ingredients of the Package the government is relying most heavily on increases in value-added and other indirect taxes. While some of the tax measures - such as a hike of 25 cents per gallon in the gasoline tax - have the particular aim of cutting the trade deficit, most are designed to reduce overall consumer demand. The Christian Democrats' agreement to ease credit features increased long-term loans to small- and medium-sized companies and loans to finance economic development in the South. These loans are to be covered by a $3 billion sale of special bonds to commercial banks. Minister of the Trea.,ury Emilio Colombo reaffirmed Italy's commitment to IMF credit ceilings. Impact The tax package should trim domestic demand by about 3% over 12 months. GNP growth probably will slow to 3%41o in 1974, compared with 5.4% in 1973. The growth rate in 1975 will be even lower when the full impact of the austerity program is felt. V., Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 The anticipated drop in domestic demand will reduce imports by about 10%, after a lag of a few months. Many import orders already have been placed, and time is needed for the direct tax measures to have their full impact. Together with some small effects from the import deposit scheme, the austerity program should hold Italy's trade deficit (imports c.i.f.) to about $10.5 billion in 1974 instead of the $12.0 billion implied by trade flows so far this year. Even after adjusting the trade account for the favorable impact of the austerity program, the current account for 1974 will be about $7.5 billion in deficit. Italy's traditionally large surplus on net services and transfer payments has been decreasing in recent years, largely because of hidden capital flight and increased interest payments. Heavy net capital outflows could boost the balance-of-payments deficit to an estimated $10 billion. The balance-of-payments deficit expected in the second half of 1974 will require additional foreign borrowing. Rome has only a meager $2.2 billion in v;tilable foreign exchange, and support of the lira has been costing $1 billion monthly. Italy still has large reserves of gold. But it would sell substantial quantities only as a last resort. The gold could be used as collateral for loans if the parties could agree on the price and other terms. The $4 billion that the Bank of Italy lined up under short-term swap arrangements with other central banks cannot be drawn because the banks fear, justifiably, that they would not be repaid. In coming weeks, Italy will have to let the lira's value plummet, impose additional import controls, or obtain new foreign loans. The government will try to avoid the first two options. A plunge of the lira would be opposed by the Socialists and trade unions because of its inflationary effects. Further import controls would be objectionable to the EC and GATT and would violate the terms of Italy's IMF standby credit. By giving some assurance that Italy is finally starting to put its house in order, the austerity program should help Rome find new funds abroad, especially if gold is offered as collateral. Pushed by soaring world prices, currency revaluations, and a rising physical volume of imports and exports, the dollar value of China's foreign trade. in 1973 increased by 60% to approximately $9.4 billion. The outlook for 1974 is for trade to increase another 30% to 40%. Boom Continues in 1974, June 1974 2 Secret Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 China's trade deficit with the non-Communist world is expected to reach. $1 bihion in 1974, up from $425 million last year. To help cover these deficits, Peking has relaxed its conservative financial policy and greatly expanded the use of short- znd medium-term credit. At the same time, China has stepped up efforts to boost hard currency earnings from exports and invisible transactions. Petroleum exports alone should rise from $35 million in 1973 to more than $300 million in 1974. The recent surge in imports is aimed at offsetting agricultural shortfalls and boosting industrial development. Imports of grain, sugar, cotton, and vegetable oils should increase from a record $1.3 billion in 1973 to about $2 billion in 1974. Roughly half of China's agricultural imports will come from the United States. Machinery and equipment orders from the West in 1973 totaled almost $2.5 billion, including $1.2 billion worth of complete industrial plants from Japan, Western Europe, and the United States. New orders in 1974 for machinery and equipment continue strong, despite a growing debate in China over the dangers of reliance on foreign equipment and technology. Trade with the non-Communist world will again account for 80% or more of China's total trade in 1974. Japan will remain the leading partner, with two-way trade reaching about $3 billion. The United States will repeat as China's number two trading partner. Total Sino-US trade is expected to reach $1.2 billion, up from $870 million last year. China's trade deficit with the United States probably will exceed $1 billion. Trade with Hong Kong and the less developed countries will provide the vrinc6nal offset to Ch 's large deficit with the developed West. ARGENTINA: WAGE-PRICE PACT UNDER STRESS President Peron's economic stabilization program is being eroded by growing shortages, labor unrest, and declining profits. Since returning to power in May 1973, the Peronists managed to cut inflation from an annual rate of about 80% to less than 10%. This signal achievement was jeopardized two months ago when rerun, uuwmg to continuing labor unrest, granted premature wage increases averaging 20%. Business, already pressed by former wage hikes and higher prices for imported materials, was granted price increases averaging These increases upped the inflation rate to nearly 15% and did little to a'leviate July. He also decreed that, as in previous wage hikes, the cost could not be passed on to the consumer. 3 Secret Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150028-6 the face of the threat, Peron subsequently declared a one-month pay bonus for growing shortages of food and industrial materials. Heightened labor unrest precipitated Peron's 12 June resignation threat. Although labor turmoil abated in Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 1?eron's Social Pact - an agreement among labor, business, and the government to hold down prices and wages - is in danger of crumbling. Its ultimate objective, to increase labor's share of the national output, is being pursued at the expense of investment and business incentives. The Peronists claim labor's share of national income has risen from 33% to 42% and its purchasing power has increased 12%. As for business, stiff price controls and rollbacks instituted in mid-1973, combined with higher labor and material costs, have depressed profits to about one-third of the pre-Peron level. New private investment has almost halted; replacement of wornout capital has been held to a minimum; inventories have been depleted; and shortages are erupting with greater frequency and severity. While public spending has taken up some of the slack in private i;riestment, it has done nothing to relieve the supply situation. Lagging capital spending is making the Mexican government more receptive to direct foreign investment. Since the restrictive new foreign investment law took effect a year ago, Mexico has muted its nationalist rhetoric and has begun to woo foreign businessmen. ? Government officials are promi'ing that investment proposals will be given a friendlier reception than last year. investment law has become sufficiently flexible to be no longer a major consideration in most decisions. administration of the ? Mexico is opening u four-month investment fair in the capital this week to highlight business opportunities and is sponsoring investment seminars in four US cities this summer. Mexico City hopes that a pickup in foreign investment will stimulate as well as supplement outlays by domestic firms. Uncertainty over President Echeverria's reformist inclinations has retarded the recovery of private investment from the 1971 credit crunch. Until the current year, the slack has been taken up by public investment, which accounted for about 49% of total outlays in 1973. With public spending being held down in 1974 to curb inflationary pressures, Mexico sees more spending by foreign interests as the key to maintaining the investment rate. 25X1 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Taking a pragmatic tack, they Foreign Investment Commission has been granting numerous exceptions to the laws general requirements for majority ownership of new establishments by Mexicans - requirements that most US companies are reluctant to accept. Several major projects involving 100% US ownership recently have been approved. Some of these do not appear to meet previously cited conditions for exemption from the equity requirement, such as having export potential or introducing advanced technology. Mexico: Growth of Gross Fixed Investment Index 1969-100 160 r 1 I 71 72 73 EST. Certain ventures proposing majority ownership by foreign investors are still being turned down. The law apparently is being used to block most projects that would compete with established Mexican-owned companies or that would depend heavily on imported components. Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 DEVELOPED COUNTRIES: EMPLOYMENT HOLDING UP Despite the economic slowdown in all major developed countries, unemployment has increased thus far only in the United States and West Germany. Unemployment rates in Britain, Canada, and Italy have actually declined. As the slowdown continues, unemployment no doubt will rise. Unemployment 1973 (1st Half) 1973 (2d Half) 1974 (1st HalfI ) Canada 5.6 5.6 5.5 United States 5.0 4.7 5.2 Italy 4.0 3.0 2.8 West Germany 1.3 1.3 2.7 United Kingdom 2.9 2.5 2.5 France 1." 2.0 2.0 Japan 1.4 1.4 1.2 Stability in employment is explained by business reluctance to lose experienced workers, at least during the early stage of the downturn. Instead, firms have cut the average hours worked in all major countries except Canada. Since the beginning of the year, the workweek in Japan and the United Kingdom has been reduced about 8% and in the United States and France about 1`/o to 2%. Because unemployment has been mild, governments have been able to pursue tighter monetary and fiscal policies to deal wit]-.. inflation and rising current accou1it deficits. As a result, workers' income this year has declined almost 9% in Japan and 6% in the United Kingdom and has increased by less than 2% in France and West Germany. Unemployment almost certainly will rise in coming months. Although some governments hope to offset declining consumer expenditures by boosting exports and maintaining a high level of domestic investment, this seems overly optintisti.;. The slowdown in world economic growth will dampen exports, while restrictive domestic policies should depress investment spending. As the slowdown continues, firms will be more reluctant to retain excess workers. Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 PORTUGAL: NEW FREEDOM, NEW ECONOMIC PROBLEMS Since General Antonio de Spinola came to power through a bloodless cc:.:p two months ago, the Portuguese economy has been shaken by labor militance, popular unrest, and uncertainty about the future. As a result, industrial production, retail sales, and private investment have declined. Receipts from tourism and workers' remittances are down, threatening the first foreign payments deficit in several years. Pre-Coup Economic Situation In the months preceding the coup, Portugal's control of Angolan oil largely insulated the country from the oil supply crisis. Real growth was continuing at a pace near to the long-term average 6%. Lisbon felt little immediate concern over the balance of payments, even though higher oil prices and lower tourist earnings presaged some decline in the current account surplus. Inflation was the most pressing problem, with prices up by 25% in the 12 months before the coup and the rate of increase accelerating. Inflation had trimmed - perhaps even reversed -- the steady gains in real wages that workers had become accustomed to. There was also concern about employment. For many years two out of every three Portuguese had found industrial jobs only by going to another European country. Thus, the economic slowdown in Western Europe threatened to reduce employment opportunities for Portuguese workers. Post-Coup Developments The wave of labor unrest unleashed by the removal of the autlioritariar. Cactano regime is the problem of greatest concern to businessmen and the new government authorities. Although union leaders are comparatively moderate -? as is the Communist Party -- the same is not true of ad hoc workers' committees that have sprung up in n;.merous firms. After decades of political impotence, workers have been demanding huge wage increases and a voice in management. Facilities hard hit by wildcat strikes include US-owned Firestone, Timex, Pfizer, and Merck plants. The Spinola government has been most alarmed by "abuses of freedom" on the part of transportation and bakery employees, whose strikes left the Lisbon populace without buses or bread for several days earlier this month. Labor disputes and uncertainty over government policy have led to an economic slowdown. Many firms are deferring investment and refusing to hire additional workers. Layoffs are threatened in some labor-intensive industries. Housing construction is particularly slack, in part because of a lack of fund;. Retail sales of non-essentials appear to be off sharply, reflecting apprehension among Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Portugal: heal GNP Growth Index 1903-100 200 r Pareent Change In Real GNP 8.0 0.4 7.3 7.8 n n n 1.3 0.7 6.5 5.0 5.7 I II Inl I I I l~l I F] E I I 0 '- 1983 I I I I I I I I I I 64 65 66 67 08 09 70 71 72 73 Portugal: Wage and Price Trends Index 1903-100 250 r 100 1963 64 65 60 503501 074 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Secret Portugal: Balance of Payments Million US $ Exports 720 810 1,099 1,512 Imports 1,236 1,427 1,770 2,155 Trade balance -516 -617 -671 -643 Travel 124 185 238 264 Other services -68 -20 -20 -12 Pri%atc remittances 483 635 801 975 Current account balance 23 183 350 586 Long-term capital 40 84 31 N.A. Basic balance 63 267 381 N.A. Other capital -60 6 -80 N.A. Total 3 273 301 N.A. consumers. The balance of payments is expected to be in deficit this month, compared with a normal monthly surplus of $40 million. iihe government thus far has taken only stopgap measures. Immediately after the coup, emergency steps were taken to stanch capital outflows. The minimum wage was increased to $130 monthly, which raised pay for about half of the work force and substantially boosted labor costs. Prices have been frozen, and higher pensions and family allowances have been promised. Inexperienced government arbitrators are trying to resolve labor disputes. The regime has used threats to get some essential workers back to their jobs. The new government has appointed some able people but as yet has not devised a workable economic program. Considerable authority has been delegated to a civilian cabinet, which is predominantly center-left but has representatives from all political factions. In the hope that a leftist can best restrain worker demands, Spinola has appointed a Communist as Minister of Labor. The Economic Minister is a highly regarded young banker with no formal political ?iffliation. In the heady post-coup atmosphere, the junta promised almost everything: reduced inflation, higher wages, increased investment, tighter environmental controls, liberalized trade and capital flows, tax reform, cconontic decentralization, improved social security, and more. It will have to choose among conflicting goals and, even then, will find it difficult to deliver. The likely failure of the government to fulfill many of its economic pledges could add to political unrest. The economic outlook hinges principally on the government's ability to maintain order in the labor field and to restore confidence among businessmen Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 and consumers. The price freeze is likely to fall apart before long under the pressure of huge increases in labor costs. Labor problems in turn could easily coalesce, resulting in further disruption of the economy and exacerbating the political situation. Although increasingly disillusioned by excessive demands from workers and political radicals, the Spinola government will be reluctant to take repressive measures to restore momentum to the economy. The government is giving priority to settling the African conflicts. The popularity of a settlement would buy time to meet other problems and free substantial resources for the effort. At the same time, Lisbon almost certainly will continue pressing the United S -it-, and major European countries, probably successfully, for assistance to . zip meet its economic promises and to bolster confidence in the new regime. Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150028-6 Socrot In last week's article on OECD growth projections, p. 8, the May forecast by OECD of the increase in US GNP for 1974 was mistakenly shown as 4.7%. The correct figure is 0.4%. u Secret Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150028-6 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150028-6 Surinam: Alcoa Bauxite Holdings at Stake The Hague has indicated that it would not oppose Surinam's use of Dutch economic aid to finance acquisition of properties of foreign-owned firms after Surinam gains independence in 1975. This attitude helps the cause of Surinam nationalists who are pressing the government to demand equity participation in Suralco, a subsidiary of the Aluminum Company of America and Surinam's largest business enterprise. The company's $350 million Surinam property accounts for 37% and 24% of its hauxite and aluminum capacity, respectively. Surinam, a member of the recently formed Intergovernmental Bauxite Association, supplied 17% (aluminum content) of US bauxite, alumina, and aluminum imports in 1973. Soviets May Help on Itaipu Darn Brazilian officials have added the USSR to the countries being considered for participation in the $3 billion Itaipu hydroelectric power project. The announcement follows the visit to Brasilia of a four-man Soviet delegation to negotiate the sale of turbines. Only last month, the USSR won the contract to provide equipment for the Salto Grande dam -- a joint Argentine-Uruguayan project. Moscow had underbid all competitors, offering lower prices and more favorable financing. Current Status of the 1974 Soviet Grain Crop (ER IB 74-5, June 1974, Delays in the spring sowing campaign and above-average losses of winter grains suggest that gross grain output in the USSR this year - assuming average weather from now on -- will amount to about 190 million tons, well below last year's record 222.5 million tons. The projected output would fall short of current domestic needs and usual export commitments but could be covered by the reserves built up after the record 1973 harvest. Therefore, we do not anticipate large-scale Soviet grain imports in fiscal year 1975, although the Soviets may still import grain if the price is right. Since Soviet grain yields are extremely sensitive to weather, the USSR will not have a firm enough estimate of output to calculate its import needs before July or August. Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875R001500150028-6 25X1 . Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 INTERNAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS GNP' Conslanl Markel Vrwvs United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada Average Annual Grnwlh [title suite Percent Change ---------------- Lohsl trout Pravmus I Year Previous Quarter Quarter 19111 Earlier Quorlor 741 -1.0 4.0 93 -3,3 741 -5.0 6.2 -2.4 -18.0 73 IV -0.1 3.1 3.4 - 0,3 73 IV 1.0 5.0 5.7 7.3 741 -3.6 1.9 -4.4 -13.3 73 IV 1.9 3.7 5.3 7.7 74 1 1.7 5.4 3.0 7.0 United States Japan West Germalr' France United Kingdom Italy Canada RETAIL SALES* Current Prices United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada Average Annual Grnwlh note Sane I'nn:e111 Change Latest trust Previous I Year 3 Months Moth Month I97U Earlier Earlier" May 74 0.4 4.6 0.4 -0.5 Apr 74 - 1.1 7.0 3.3 -9.3 Apr 74 0 3.2 1.1 -2.9 Apr 74 -0.8 5.6 5.1 0 Apr 74 1.7 2.6 0.5 0.6 Apr 74 2.7 4.5 13.7 -18.5 Apr 74 - 1.1 8.2 3.6 6.1 Average Annual Growth Aare Sauce Percent Change Latest treat Previous I Year Month Month 19/U Earlier May 14 1.0 10.3 8.8 Feb 74 -2.2 13.2 17.6 Feb 74 0.9 8.7 0.9 Mar 74 0.8 7.1 9.8 Mar 74 1.3 12.0 9.4 Nov 73 -3.3 1 #.4 34.1 Mar74 -1.0 11.4 11.8 United States Japan West Germany ranee United Kingdom Canada Euro-Dollars representative rains Prime finance paper Call money Interbank loans(3Monihs) Call money local authority deposits Finance paper Three-month deposits 26June 1974 Office of Economic Research/CIA 3 Months Earlier" 13.9 8.8 11.4 13.8 8.5 100.2 23.1 latest Date Jun 21 1 9.00 Jun 14 Jun 12 Jun 21 Jun 19 Jun 19 Jun 19 12.65 9.17 13.25 12.55 11.00 11.90 WHOLESALE PRICES Induslual United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada Percent Chan'le I atcl hntn Prr.wuus Month Month May 74 2.7 May 74 0.7 Mar74 1.0 Apr 74 2.4 May 74 2.1 Jan 74 7.1 Mar 74 2.8 Avurnlle Annual Grnwlh Halt) Since I"711 b.4 11.1 0.8 13.2 10.9 11.8 10.4 I Year [arlar 20.1 35.3 13.1 35,7 24.5 33.9 20.7 3 Mnnllc. Ether 40.6 8.4 30.3 53.2 35.x1 68.3 39.1 United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada 1 Year Earlier 7.63 8.50 13.50 7.62 1.22 7.00 8.94 3 Months Earlier 7.25 12.50 11.00 12.13 15.50 8.38 8.88 1 Month Earlier 9.25 12.00 9.00 13.00 13.38 11.15 12.06 Average Annual Growth Role Smce Percent Change -- Latel Iran, Previous Month Month I97t May 74 1.0 6.0 Apr 74 2.7 11.4 May 74 0.6 6.3 Apr 74 1.6 7.7 Apr 741 3.4 10.3 Apr 74 1.2 9.2 May 74 1.7 6.3 Percent Champ; latest from Previous Munch Muntlr May 74 1.6 Mar 74 2.6 Mar 74 2.0 Feb74 -0.3 May 74 - 0.2 Dec 73 2.6 Apr 74 4.2 I Year Lanier 10.7 24.9 7.2 13.2 15.2 16.3 10.3 3 Months Earhnr 11.8 30.8 6.2 17.7 27.0 26.6 14.3 Average Annual Growth note since 1910 7.0 18.0 9.2 11.9 9.1 21.2 13.8 I Year Earlier 7.0 15.4 -0.8 9.0 2.5 17.9 14.4 3 Months Cit be r 10.0 15.7 9.0 14.9 4.7 22.1 18.5 'Seasonally adjusted. "Average for latest 3 months compared with average for previous 3 months. Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 EXTERNAL ECONOMIC INDICATORS EXPORTS` f.o.b. United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada IMPORTS United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada TRADE BALANCE" f.o.b./l.o.b. United States Japan Wesi Germany France United Kingdom Ita!y Canada Latnsl Monlll Million US $ I'mcmll Million US S 11174 1973 Clango Apr 74 8,230 30,024 20,908 40.5 May 74 4,070 19,972 13,014 44.0 Apr 74 7,734 28,076 19,070 47.2 May 14 3,032 18,151 13,800 31.5 May 74 3,082 13,831 11,104 24.0 Apr 74 2,502 8,827 5,768 53.0 Apr 74 2,429 10,010 7,978 26.5 Cunudahve Million US S Percent Million I15 S 1974 1973 Challgn Apr 74 0,138 29,843 21,545 38.5 May 74 4,907 21,550 11,398 89,1 Apr 74 5,423 19,720 14,994 31.5 May 14 4,487 19,845 13,281 49.4 May 14 4,242 18,812 12,033 48.9 Apr 74 3,368 11,580 6,406 80.8 Apr 74 2,306 9,560 7,290 31.1 Million US S 1974 1973 Change Apr 74 92 781 -637 1,418. May 74 -237 -1.578 2,416 -3,994 Apr 74 2,310 8,355 4,075 4,280 May 74 -635 -1,694 519 -2.213 May 74 -1,160 -4,981 -1,529 -3,452 Apr 74 -868 -2,753 -638 -2,115 Apr 74 123 449 688 -238 BASIC BALANCE Current and ong?Term-Capital Transactions Latest Pnrlod Cunulativc (Million US SI United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada Million US S 1973 741 2,070 2,070 May 74 -5 -5,893 Apr 74 800 3,271 73 IV -352 -2,391 73 IV -1,394 -3,184 7311 -338 639 73 IV 27 376 United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada Latest Month End of Billion US S Jon 1970 May 74 May 74 Mar 74 May 74 May 74 Mar 74 May 74 14.9 13.2 32.9 8.1 6.9 8.7 6.2 1972 -888 -3,594 917 -369 -1.954 971 1,155 Change 2,956 2,299 2,354 -2,022 -1,210 -332 -779 I Year Ember 3 Moths Earlier EXPORT PRICES IISS United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada EXPORT PRICES National Currency I'mcunl Change --.. Latusl brio IhgvIous Month Month Apr /4 I 0.6 Jan 74 Mar 74 Jun 74 Doc 73 Nov 73 Fob 74 Jan 74 Mar 74 Jan 74 Doc 73 Nov 73 Fab 74 I'rn:enl Change( Latest Ironi Previous Month Month Apr 74 j 0.6 I United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada IMPORT PRICES National Currency United States Japan West Germany France United Kingdom Italy Canada 0.1 5.9 -5.9 0.1 -2.4 4.1 19711 11.5 13.4 13.9 11.1 8.7 10.5 12.4 Avoiaou Annual Grnwlh Hato Since I Year Earlier 30.3 31.4 21.9 18.9 17.4 21.3 34.3 :1 Months I:arbcl 23.5 8.0 37.5 -35.2 12.0 12.4 65.6 Average Annual Glowth Hale S1111:1, 19711 11.5 7.6 4.1 8.0 9.8 8.7 I Year Ear her 30.3 27.3 13.0 17.6 18.8 22.8 31.8 3 Months Earlutl 23.5 71.3 30.8 31.3 33.0 22.9 51.5 Average Annual Glawth Rate Since Pen:enl hh;uupi--- - ---' Latest hum Ihevm. I Yin 3 Months Month Month 19711 Latkur Earlier Apr 74 6.3 19.0 48.6 98.2 Jan 74 13.1 10.8 43.1 170.0 Mar 74 1.6 6.2 25.7 56.1 Jon 74 14.9 11.3 33.0 127.4 Dec 73 4.5 16.3 42.6 50.6 Nov 73 3.5 14.8 42.3 30.8 Feb 74 3.6 7.9 21.3 42.4 EXCHANGE RATES Spot Rate As of 21 Jun 74 IIS S Per Unit Ilcc GG 19 Mar 1913 Japan Viol 0.0035 28.16 8.90 -7.02 West Germany lMaik( he Mark) 0.3939 58.68 26.94 11.24 France Irranr:l 0.2037 0.89 3.45 -7.58 (Pound United Kingdom sterhnn) 2.3800 -14.71 -8.66 -3.29 Italy (Lou) 0.0015 -4.31 -10.93 -13.45 Canada )nnearl 1.0313 11.81 3.36 3.37 TRADE-WEIGHTED As of 21 Jun 74 14 Jun 1974 -0.03 -0.93 0.05 -0.52 -0.13 -0.55 14 Jun 1974 0.40 0.09 -0.65 0.57 -0.29 0.31 -0.47 Dec 0e 10 Dec 1971 19 Mal 1973 16.3 14.0 14.6 United States -16.72 -7.34 -0.71 4.1 15.9 11.9 Japan 18.93 3.17 -8.74 8.8 32.3 33.1 West Germany 33.02 15.92 10.88 4.4 11.6 8.1 France -21.89 -8.35 -10.79 2.8 6.7 6.0 United Kingdom -34.29 -20.09 -5.71 4.7 6.3 8.4 Italy -26.02 -24.64 -17.72 4.3 6.1 6.2 Canada 8.61 2.01 3.64 'Seasonally adjusted. "Converted into US dollars at current market rates of exchange. 26 June 1974 "'Weighting is based on each listed country's trade with 18 other industrialized countries to reflect the competitive it-N;?t of exchange-rate variations among trw major currencies. Approved For Release 2009/09/29: CIA-RDP85T00875RO01500150028-6 EXCHANGE RATES "" Pm cent Change hunt