Norway: Staff Report for the 2003 Article IV Consultation

In 2003, domestic and external factors in Norway slowed real GDP growth to an estimated 0.5 percent. With inflation pressures waning, Norges Bank cut interest rates aggressively. The non-oil fiscal position has deteriorated somewhat over the past two years, only partly reflecting the cycle. Discussions covered the short-term outlook and policy options, the monetary and fiscal policy frameworks, aging and long-term fiscal sustainability, and structural reform. The financial system has weathered the downturn, though with some weakening of profitability.