INDUSTRY ON THE RISE BY 9.3%, CONSTRUCTION SECTOR TO SHRINK BY 14.5%

In January 2011, the index of industrial production increased by 9.3% over the corresponding month of 2010, according to the preliminary data of the National Statistical Institute (NSI). In the first month of this year, the index of industrial production, calculated from the seasonally adjusted data, is on the rise by 3,2%, compared to December 2010. A positive growth of 27.6% was registered in the production of investment products, while in the manufacture of products for intermediate consumption there was an increase of 21.3%. Besides, the generation of energy products reported a reduction of 1%. For a month, the index of industrial production in the processing industry rose by 18.7%, while extractive industries, as well as the generation and distribution of electricity, heat and gas registered a decline of 1.5%.

For the same period, the turnover in the retail trade, except of vehicles and motorcycles sector, marked a positive growth of 2.1%, compared to the previous month. In January 2007, the turnover in retail trade slumped by 0.4%, compared to its level of the same month of 2010. For a month, however, retail trade in pharmaceutical and medical goods, cosmetics and toiletries declined by 6.2%, while the retail trade in textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods fell by 6%. In addition, the trade in computers and communication equipment slumped by 0.4%.

However, in a year, (January 2011 versus January 2010), there was positive turnover growth in three main groups of activities. The retail trade in automotive fuels and lubricants rose by 3.0 %, while the retail trade of pharmaceutical and medical goods increased by 1.7%, whereas the retailing of food, beverages and tobacco surged by 0.8%.

There is an ongoing downward trend in the volume of construction output in January, according to NSI data. On a monthly basis, the fall of 0.8% was predetermined by the reduced volume of building construction. Engineering, however, registered an increase of 0.2%. On an annual basis, the general shrinkage in the construction sector was 14.5%, while civil construction and engineering reported a decline of 5.8%, according to the data.