November industrial output index up 6.2%

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s industrial production index (IPI) expanded 6.2% in November 2016 against the same month a year ago.

According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the strong growth was attributed by higher indices across all sectors, namely manufacturing (6.5%), mining (4.7%) and electricity (9.7%).

The manufacturing sector output was driven by higher growth in major subsectors – petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products (6.1%); electrical and electronics products (8.9%) and food, beverages and tobacco (10.4%).

The mining sector output grew 4.7% in November 2016 after registering an increase of 3.5% in October 2016 due to the increase in the natural gas index by 13.2%. However, the crude oil index declined by 1.9%.

The electricity sector output increased 9.7% in November 2016 following an increase of 6.9% in October 2016.

Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector recorded RM60.1 billion of sales in November 2016, an increase of 8.2% or RM4.6 billion from the RM55.5 billion a year ago.

The total number of employees in the manufacturing sector in November 2016 was 1.03 million, a growth of 0.2% or 1,954. Productivity increased 8.0% compared with the same month of the previous year.