- 5
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1984
Participation Scheme recorded further increase, of
3.0% against 5.8% in the third quarter. Over the year
these increased by 29.9%. Loans to the manufacturing
sector fell by 0.2% compared with an increase in the
third quarter of 2.0%; given the impressive
performance of domestic exports, this slow-down
probably indicated an improvement in the cash flow
position of manufacturers. Over the year such loans
showed an increase of 10.2%. Loans to the wholesale
and retail trades rose by 7.8% following an increase
of 15.6% in the third quarter. For the year as a whole
the increase was 29.0%. This possibly reflected the
revival of consumer demand.
Foreign Currency Position
The spot foreign currency position of the
monetary sector showed net foreign currency
liabilities of $14.5 billion at the end of December
compared with $17.8 billion at the end of November,
Banks and deposit-taking companies recorded net spot
foreign currency liabilities of $11.2 billion and $3.3
billion respectively. Statistics collected (on the
basis of slightly different definitions) by the
Commissioner for Banking and Deposit-taking Companies
showed that at the end of December, the monetary
sector had net spot foreign currency liabilities of
$17.0 billion which was more than covered by the net
forward assets of $41.8 billion. In the last quarter,
/these...