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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, August 31, 2009

BUSINESS BRIEFS
Economists fret over government goals


Advertiser News Services

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Japan's factory output rose for the fifth straight month in July. Industrial production in the world's second-largest economy climbed 1.9 percent from the previous month, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said today.

Associated Press library photo

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NEW YORK — Economists are pleased with the Federal Reserve's policy on interest rates but skeptical of the government's ability to rein in spending, curb greenhouse gases or overhaul health care, a new survey finds.

The latest semiannual survey by the National Association for Business Economics, set to be released today, indicates almost 70 percent of the 266 economists surveyed earlier this month think the Fed's monetary policy is "about right," up from 63 percent in March and 56 percent a year ago.

HARLEY-DAVIDSON RUMBLES INTO INDIA

NEW DELHI — Twenty-five Harley-Davidsons rumbled through the heart of the rain-drenched Indian capital yesterday, announcing the arrival of the legendary U.S. company in one of the world's largest motorcycle markets.

The American motorcycle's long-awaited journey to India was enabled by what has come to be called the "mango-motorcycle swap" in 2007 trade negotiations, when the United States decided to allow Indian mangoes to be imported in return for the export of Harley-Davidsons.

Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson is now looking for Indian dealers so it can roll out its first bikes in the first half of 2010.