28 March 2001 Media Statement
Cullen welcomes continuing high confidence
Finance Minister Michael Cullen today welcomed the March National Bank business outlook showing continuing high
confidence both in the general economic environment and in own company prospects.
"It reinforces the positive message of yesterday's consumer confidence survey which also showed high levels of
optimism," he said.
"Obviously the slowdowns in Australia and the United States pose some risk to the size and strength of the New Zealand
recovery. But, I am confident both economies will rebound quickly and that we have sufficient economic momentum in New
Zealand to carry us through any temporary external downturn.
"Our dollar remains competitive. And our external account position continues to improve with a predicted merchandise
trade surplus of $413 million for February - up from $43 million for the same month last year," Dr Cullen said.
ENDS