27 August 2012

A phone survey of a sample of contacts in Norges Bank's regional network was conducted in the period 15-17 August 2012. The survey encompassed 70 private sector enterprises nationwide and focused on developments in output and employment since May.

In May (Regional network report 2-2012), regional network enterprises expected that growth in output would remain broadly unchanged over the next six months. Information gathered in mid-August indicates that output growth has been approximately as the enterprises expected in May. Overall market prospects also appear to be largely unchanged.

In May, the enterprises planned for stable growth in employment over the following three months. In August, they reported that developments in employment had been broadly as expected. Capacity utilisation appears to have picked up slightly since May.

Facts about the regional network