In the fourth quarter of 2010, provisional data indicate that industrial turnover and manufacturing new orders rose by 9.6 and 14.5 per cent respectively over the corresponding quarter of 2009.

Compared to the last quarter of 2009, total industrial turnover advanced by 9.6 per cent to 113.1 points in the corresponding period of 2010, primarily as a result of a 13.3 per cent increase in intermediate goods, which comprise 44.0 per cent of total industrial turnover. Furthermore, turnover for energy and capital goods increased by 10.4 and 13.6 per cent respectively.

Consumer goods advanced by 1.0 per cent on account of a rise of 1.6 per cent in non-durable consumer goods. On the other hand, durable consumer goods fell by 8.8 per cent.

Domestic industrial turnover for the period under review increased by 6.8 per cent on account of a rise of 10.4 and 15.1 per cent in energy and capital goods respectively. Domestic industrial turnover edged up in the intermediate and consumer goods sectors. Furthermore, non-domestic industrial turnover rose by 12.6 per cent, mainly on account of a 16.3 per cent rise in intermediate goods.

During the fourth quarter of 2010, new orders for manufacturing industries rose by 14.5 per cent over 2009. This rise was attributable to an increase of 15.6 per cent for new orders in respect of intermediate goods. New orders for capital goods rose by 12.6 per cent and by 11.1 per cent for consumer goods, mainly on account of an 11.5 per cent rise in non-durable consumer goods. Manufacturing new orders for durable consumer goods fell by 12.8 per cent.

Manufacturing new orders for the domestic market moved slightly upwards, mainly on account of a 7.3 per cent increase in intermediate goods, while consumer goods and capital goods registered a decrease of 8.9 and 4.4 per cent respectively. Non-domestic new orders advanced by 15.9 per cent on account of increases in all the main industrial groupings, with the main contributor being a growth of 16.2 per cent in orders for intermediate goods.

Industrial employment declined marginally by 0.2 per cent when compared to the fourth quarter of 2009. Employment in all the main industrial groupings registered declines except in intermediate goods, where an increase of 1.3 per cent was recorded.

Gross wages and salaries increased by 0.3 per cent when compared to the corresponding quarter of 2009, to stand at 95.6 points. This was reflected in an increase in gross wages and salaries in the intermediate goods and energy sectors, of 4.4 and 4.0 per cent respectively. Conversely, gross wages and salaries fell by 7.8 per cent in capital goods and by 1.6 per cent in consumer goods.

Hours worked in the industrial sector decreased by 0.8 per cent. Whereas hours worked in intermediate goods rose by 2.4 per cent, this was mitigated by less hours worked in the energy and capital goods sectors, by 0.2 and 8.7 per cent respectively. Hours worked in consumer goods remained unchanged.

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