Industrial output, up 4.3%

Industrial output rose 4.3% in the first eight months of 2004, as compared to the corresponding period of last year, according to data released by the National Statistics Institute.

In August, the industrial output index registered a 6.5% climb against the same month of last year.

Firms operating within the industrial field reported, for the first seven months, 9.9% higher total turnover (including secondary activities), as compared to the similar period of year 2003.

Retail companies, not including the firms operating in the automobile and motorcycle sectors, also reported higher turnover.

The data released by the National Statistics Institute points to a 13.1% increase in turnover derived by the retail sector in the first seven months of this year as compared to the same period of last year, with the highest growth being posted by the non-food segment (15%).

Also, the companies selling automobiles, motorcycles and fuels posted an 11% seven-month turnover increase, compared to the year-ago period.

This evolution was mainly triggered by the 14.5% increase in turnover reported by the car fuel retail and by the 7.2% higher turnover registered by the vehicle trade sector.

Services companies in the first seven months logged 15.4% higher turnover as compared to the similar period of 2003.

Managers of industrial, retail and industrial companies anticipate their activities will follow the same ascending trend over the next period. On the other hand, managers of constructions companies estimate that their operations will maintain the same level as in the previous months.
miruna.lebedencu@zf.ro