Industrial turnover up 6.4% in Jan-Oct

The industrial turnover index (comprising mining and quarrying, manufacturing, and electricity, gas and water supply) reached 137.3 units (Base 2000=100) in October 2006, recording an increase of 13.3% compared to October 2005.

This was much higher than the figure for industrial production, which rose by 3.5% in the same period.

During January – October 2006 the turnover index recorded an increase of 6.4% compared with Jan-Oct 2005. In the same period, the production index recorded a rise of only 0.2%.

In the first ten months of 2006 mining and quarrying turnover rose year on year by 2% (production up 0.2%), manufacturing turnover rose by 4.2% (production down 1.2%), and electricity, gas and water rose 21.5% (production up 5%), no doubt because of higher oil-related prices. F.M.