The Sveriges Riksbank has published its Annual Report for the year ended 2002. In the Governor's statement Lars Heikensten said economic development was subdued in 2002 by the considerable stock market decline and households were hit by sizeable reductions in their wealth. Despite the gloomy media headlines, however, the Swedish economy suffered less than was feared due in part to an expansionary fiscal policy. He also said the Riksbank would be prepared if the Swedish people voted to join the