November industrial production index above forecast at 2.5%

KUALA LUMPUR: The country's industrial output in November 2018 rose faster than expected by 2.5%, above a Bloomberg survey of 2.3%, according to the Statistics Department.

Its chief statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin said on Friday the growth in November 2018 was supported by the increase in manufacturing index (3.6%) and electricity index (3.2%). The mining index declined by 0.7%.

“The manufacturing sector output expanded by 3.6% in November 2018 after registering a growth of 5.4% in October 2018. 

“The major sub-sectors that contributed to the growth in November 2018 were: transport equipment and other manufactures products (8.3%), electrical and electronic equipment products (5.3%) and petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products (3.4%),” he said.

The electricity sector index increased by  3.2% from a year ago.

The mining sector output recorded a decline of 0.7% from a year ago due to a decrease in natural gas index (-1.8%). The crude oil index increased marginally by 0.6%.