More robust growth expected in US. According to the Boston Consulting Group, improved productivity and lower labour and energy costs could boost manufacturing and exports in the US. The situation is expected to help the US economy grow again more easily than in other developed countries. According to Boston Consulting Group experts, in 2015- 2020, adjusted labour costs and improved productivity will mean that it will be less expensive to export an industrial product manufactured in the US by between 5% and 25%. This will particularly be the case with regard to the chemical sector, which has been the first sector to benefit from the fall in energy costs. The survey indicates that the US could increase their exports by 2020 by $80-130 billion compared to their current levels, to capture between 2% and 7% of the export market currently controlled by major developed countries (France, Germany, Japan, Italy and the United Kingdom). Another positive phenomenon for the US economy: production costs are increasing in China and the US has begun to relocate some activities to US territory. The survey also compares manufactured cost structures between developed countries, with the US achieving 100 in this connection. With 108, the United Kingdom is following immediately behind, with Germany and France closely on its heels (115 each). Japan follows next (121) and then Italy (123). China is the only country to outperform the US in this context, with a score of 93. In terms of productivity adjusted wage costs, Italy is in the lead, ahead of Japan, France, Germany and the United Kingdom. On this level, China is the only country to outperform the US. (IL/transl.fl)