GDP growth in 1998 was established at a minus 2.6. Natural resources are limited to negligible mineral resources. Industries include steel and nonferrous metals, heavy electrical equipment, construction equipment, motor vehicles and parts, machine tools, electronic and telecommunications equipment, automated systems, transport equipment, ships, chemicals, textiles and processed foods. Main agricultural products are rice, vegetables, fruit, sugar beets, pork, poultry, dairy products, eggs and fish. Major exports are manufactured goods including machinery, motor vehicles and consumer electronics.
Major imports are manufactured items, foodstuffs, raw materials and petroleum products.