Industrial production rises 3.5%

The volume of production in the manufacturing sector rose 3.5 per cent in October compared with a year earlier, figures from the Central Statistics office showed today.

The largest volume rise was seen in basic pharmaceutical products and preparations sector, which rose 42.5 per cent during the month compared to last year.

Turnover for the manufacturing industry fell 21.2 per cent year on year.

However, volumes in the computer, electronic and optical products sector fell 47.3 per cent, while food products fell 7.3 per cent.

The "modern" sector, which includes high-technology and chemical sectors, increased its production by 12.8 per cent during the month, while the more traditional sectors fell 13.3 per cent.

Compared to September, overall volumes in the manufacturing sector were down 3 per cent, while turnover slipped 8.8 per cent.

In the three month period from August to October 2009, the seasonally adjusted volume of industrial production fell 4.8 per cent compared to the previous quarter. Turnover fell 7.6 per cent over the same period.