61.   Unwillingness by consumers to spend has been seen as a major reason economic activity has remained stagnant.

62.   While manufacturing activity remains distressed, construction spending rose in February for the fourth month in a row as lower interest rates helped to keep demand stable.

63.   He said the retail sector as a whole would remain weak as general economic activity remains sluggish while a near-term recovery in the US looks unlikely.

64.   However, where activity remains weak, monetary easing is in order, while avoiding upward pressure on long rates.

65.   However religious and political activities remain tightly controlled by the Communist Party.

66.   In the construction industry activity had remained steady in the third quarter but was sharply weaker than during the same period of last year.

67.   In the North Sea, activity remained high.

68.   In the Caribbean the prices declined while in the North Sea region the activity remained a high level.

69.   Activity remained calm before the three-day Memorial Day weekend.

70.   Activity remained healthy in western Europe, with the exception of Germany where prices continue to slip.