And they would have to decide not just which crops to plant but whether to use them for food, carbon capture or things like bio-industrial raw materials.

ECONOMIST: A prospect of plenty

Although the prices of some goods (such as energy and industrial raw materials) could pick up in 2003, the effect will probably be balanced by continuing falls in the prices of most services.

ECONOMIST: In profits we trust

China runs a deficit with most of its trading partners, which supply oil, other raw materials and industrial components, and makes up for it by running large surpluses with its U.S. and European export markets.

NPR: China Reports Stronger April Trade Growth

China's appetite for raw materials to fuel resurgent growth probably explains the 36% rise in industrial raw-material prices since the start of this year, benefiting exporters of things like copper though how long this will last is an open question.

ECONOMIST: BRICs, emerging markets and the world economy

As China's demand for raw materials continues its economic and industrial operation will expand throughout the continent.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

Middlesbrough has the right raw materials: the river and empty industrial land beside it.

ECONOMIST: Middlesbrough

The figures are based on a survey of purchasing executives who buy the raw materials for manufacturing at more than 350 industrial companies.

BBC: US manufacturing remains weak

The latest missile firing came after the South Korean government on Sunday condemned Pyongyang's earlier launches and urged it to come to the negotiating table over the jointly run Kaesong Industrial Complex to allow South Korean companies to withdraw their raw materials and finished goods.

WSJ: North Korea Fires Another Missile Sunday

The contention is that China's export restrictions on raw materials, which discourage the sale abroad of coke, zinc and other industrial commodities, are conferring "unfair preferences" in favor of its own manufacturers.

FORBES: New Asia