Index of industrial production, August 2004

The production of intermediate goods has increased by 1.7 per cent. The improvement within the production of basic metals, as well as basic chemicals, is a result of increased production capacity and increased demand in the export market. Pulp, paper and paper products have also seen production rise.

Consumer goods

The production of consumer goods increased by 3.5 per cent in the last three-month period. This is a result of growth within food, beverages and tobacco. Food products partly contribute to these changes as a result of improvements in the manufacturing of dairy products and prepared animals feeds. Production of beverages and tobacco has also gone up. The production within printing, publishing and reproduction has increased by 2.5 per cent in the same period.

Capital goods

Capital goods have seen a 1.2 per cent growth during the last three months. Oil platforms and modules and fabricated metal products have contributed to this growth, due to increasing oil investments in 2004. Machinery and equipment n.e.c have also had an increase, whereas electrical and optical equipment have experienced a fall in production. There are only minor changes within the production of transport equipment.