Turnover in oil and gas, manufacturing, mining and electricity supply, September 2003

Increased turnover within industries such as machinery and equipment n.e.c, oil platforms and modules and transport equipment contribute to an improvement for capital goods in the third quarter compared with the second quarter 2003. Turnover within machinery and equipment n.e.c and transport equipment was stronger in the beginning of the third quarter, while turnover for oil platforms and modules increased towards the end of the period.

Intermediate goods up

Due to higher turnover within pulp, paper and paper products, other non-metallic mineral products and basic metals, intermediate goods experienced a 0.3 per cent increase in the third quarter 2003. Wood and wood products and basic chemicals fell in the same period. Basic chemicals however showed a stronger turnover towards the end of the quarter.

Consumer goods up

Consumer goods (food and food products, textiles, wearing apparel and leather and publishing, printing and reproduction) experienced a 2.6 per cent increase in the third quarter. The largest contributor to the raise was a 2 per cent increase in turnover for food and food products. Turnover within this industry was in the third quarter almost at the same level as it was in the first quarter this year. Publishing, printing, reproduction and furniture, other manufacturing and recycling also saw an increase within the period.

Oil- and gas extraction up

Norwegian oil- and gas extraction had a turnover of approximately NOK 261 billion from January to September this year. This is a 1 per cent increase compared to the same 9-month-period in 2002. Turnover in the third quarter also shows a slight increase compared to the same period in 2002, still the best results so far this year, occurred in the first quarter of 2003. This was mostly due to a higher price on oil in the first quarter than in the two following quarters.