The Index of Industrial Production for the month of August 2010 indicated that output levels for all industries stood at 75.3. This indicates that the output level decreased by 8.3 points or 10.0 per cent compared with July 2010 and fell by 2.8 points or 3.6 per cent when compared with August 2009.

The Manufacturing division, which is the main component of the Production Index, fell by 10.0 points or 15.5 per cent compared with the previous month and fell by 6.3 points or 10.4 per cent compared with August 2009. Increases were recorded for Food by 1.0 point or 1.3 per cent; and Wearing Apparel by 0.1 of a percentage point or 1.0 per cent when compared with July 2010. Within this division, there were

decreases recorded for Beverages and Tobacco by 20.2 points or 22.2 per cent; Wooden Furniture by 11.2 points or 10.1 per cent; Chemicals by 7.8 points or 6.6 per cent; Non-Metallic Mineral Products by 134.1 points or 64.8 per cent; Electronic Components by 12.4 points or 41.5 per cent; and other Manufacturing by 0.8 of a percentage point or 0.9 per cent when compared with the previous month.

?????????????????? The Mining and Quarrying division increased by 12.4 points or 11.4 per cent compared with July 2010 and increased by 58.0 points or 92.5 per cent when compared with August 2009. Within the Mining sub-division, crude oil rose by 0.9 of a percentage point or 1.3 per cent compared with the previous month and increased by 17.1 points or 33.0 per cent compared with August 2009. The Quarrying sub-division increased by 20.8 points or 15.1 per cent compared with that of the previous month and rose by 87.8 points or 124.2 per cent compared with August 2009.

The Electricity, Gas and Water division fell by 3.8 points or 2.3 per cent below that of the previous month and rose by 4.1 points or 2.6 per cent over that of August 2009. (Research and Planning Unit, Economic Affairs Division, Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs)

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