Government welcomes improvement in industrial production

The government has welcomed the latest data issued by the National Statistics Office as positive results which encourage it to continue working towards promoting the manufacturing industry in Malta.

The NSO today said that seasonally adjusted industrial production increased by 0.4 per cent in June over the previous month. When compared to June 2014, the index of industrial production adjusted for working days went up by 3.2 per cent.

Increases were registered in the production of consumer goods (3.4 per cent) and intermediate goods (2.7 per cent), while decreases were registered in the production of capital goods (4.5 per cent) and energy (0.9 per cent).

Separate data shows record increase in machinery imports during the first half of 2015.

“This means that industrial production will continue to increase over the coming months,” the government said.

Figures released by the customs show that industrial exports increased by 1.4% (€15 million) in the first half of 2015. Increases were observed in food, pharmaceutical, plastic, printed material and mechanical equipment.

The government pointed out that while a European Commission survey showed companies expects increases in manufacturing over the coming months, 225 full-time jobs in manufacturing were created in two years. This against the 2,000 who were laid off in five years.

The government ended its statement by pointing towards the criticism leveled by the Opposition. It accused the opposition of being negative.