Manufacturing growth slowed last month in economies as diverse as France, Japan to Malaysia

Employees work on the production line during an organised media tour to a Schneider Electric factory in Beijing, China February 17, 2022. - Reuters

LONDON/TOKYO: Global growth in factory activity slowed in May as China's strict coronavirus curbs and Russia's invasion of Ukraine disrupted supply chains and dampened demand, adding to woes for businesses already struggling with surging raw material prices.

Manufacturing growth slowed last month in economies as diverse as France, Japan to Malaysia, business surveys showed on Wednesday, illustrating the challenge policymakers face in trying to combat inflation while not stifling anaemic economic activity.