27 September 2001 Media Statement
New Zealand in good position to weather global storm - Cullen
"New Zealand's improving Balance of Payments deficit points to the underlying strength of the economy and will allow us
to weather the global slow down in a better position than many other economies," Finance Minister Michael Cullen said
today.
Dr Cullen was commenting on the Balance of Payments deficit of $297 million – the lowest June quarter figure since 1993.
"We are in a strong position to weather through. We have a strong fiscal stance and demand for our products has remained
reasonably good despite the slow down the world has experienced over the last year.
"This is a good sign of how much progress is being made. A major problem we inherited was a wide and growing current
account deficit," said Dr Cullen.
ENDS