Industrial output up 6.6%

The industrial production volume in the first half of this year rose by 6.6% compared with the corresponding period last year. The industrial companies in the period manufactured goods to the value of over 12 million lei, Info-Prim Neo has learned from the Ministry of Economy. The industrial output in processing industry increased by 7.8%, in the energy sector – by 2.3%, but fell in the extractive industry by 11.4% The production of clothes rose by 15.8%, of wine – by 23%, of tobacco items - by 58.8%, of electric power – by 2.9%, of clothes – by 13.8%. At the same time, the production of vegetal and animal oils and fats decreased by 13.9%, of finished metal items – by 24.4%, of rubber and plastic articles – by 12.4%, of medical instruments and equipment – by 30.5%, etc. The number of companies that reduced production levels in the first six months of this year fell from 376 at the start of the year to 337 in June. According to the Ministry of Economy, the production volumes decreased owing to the lack of raw material, the reduced purchasing power of the companies and population, the suspension of construction projects and other causes.