Oslo - The Norwegian government is to use "considerably more" of oil and gas income to counter the economic downturn, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday.

"This is an anti-recession policy, and that it was needed now," Stoltenberg said in remarks at a conference organized by the Confederation of Norwegian Business and Industry.

Stoltenberg said the government in 2009 would use "considerably more" of the income from the oil and gas production than the expected return from the state pension fund.

His remarks suggested the government was prepared to override a 2001 principle of not using more than 4 per cent of the income from the state pension fund known as Government Pension Fund - Global that invests in some 7,000 companies worldwide.

The fund, managed by the central bank, includes the huge Petroleum Fund.

Oslo was preparing a financial package to be presented to parliament on January 26. Among measures it has indicated were support for repairs and improvements of public buildings to shore up the construction sector.

"There will be measures to secure employment and welfare, aimed at several sectors," Stoltenberg said, adding that tax cuts were also likely.

"Everyone can't build schools and roads, and there is need to stimulate other sectors," he said. (dpa)