Transnistrian Minister of Economy, Elena Chernenko, announced the statistics which confirm that the pace of economic growth of the region is slowing down and the macroeconomic indicators are reduced, in the first quarter, compared to the similar period of 2008 as well as the forecasts for 2009, Info-Prim Neo reports. The GDP reduced in the first quarter by 9.3%. The industrial output of all companies has decreased by 30.4%. Since the beginning of the crisis, 178 Transnistrian companies reduced their output, while 21 other ceased their activity, Elena Cernenko said. An essential decrease in the industrial outputs was registered in chemical industry – 71.7%, electrical engineering – 65.4%, mechanical engineering and metalwork – 65.1%, iron smelting – 61%, light industry – 42.3%. However, according to the Transnistrian official, despite the crisis, the situation has improved in the domains of power-supply and production of grains and flour. The Moldovan Power Plant has doubled its output of electric power, while the production of flour and bread increased by 21.7%, Elena Cernenko explained. Despite the negative background, in the first 3 months of 2009, the number of apartment blocks put into operation increased by 66.9%. Also, a 8.2% increase was registered in the domain of telecommunications, the Transnistrian minister pointed out.