AUSTRALIAN ECONOMY GAINS PACE WITH RISING GDP.

AsiaPulse News, January, 2004

SYDNEY, Jan 12 Asia Pulse - Analysts say that Australia's economy is likely to grow by 1.4 per cent in the December quarter.

The economy is gaining pace at the start of the year as rising exports combine with resilient domestic demand to lift growth in the final quarter of 2003.

The AAP economic indicator for January shows that gross domestic product (GDP) is likely to grow by 1.4 per cent in the December quarter for an annual rate of 3.6 per cent.

GDP grew by 1.2 per cent in the September quarter.

Economists said exports should contribute positively to economic growth for the first time in nine quarters, as the global economy recovered during the latter stages of 2003.

Also, Australia's rural exports rebounded from drought...