Industry has strong start to the year

The index of industrial production for January 2007 reached 104.2 (Base 2000=100), recording an increase of 2.4 % compared to January 2006.

For manufacturing, the index for January 2007 reached 91.5 units, recording an increase of 1.1% compared to January 2006.

Industrial production inched up by 0.7% in 2006, after a rise of 0.3% in 2005 according to the latest figures from the Statistical Service.