Drop in sales by manufacturing enterprises

Total sales by manufacturing enterprises in the second quarter dropped by Lm11.6 million, or 4.8 per cent, to Lm240.9 million compared with the same quarter last year, the National Statistics Office said.

A drop in sales was registered in the sub-sectors of radio, television and communications; electrical machinery; plastic and rubber products; leather; tobacco; and machinery and equipment.

Increases were registered in the printing and publishing sub-sector and the food and beverage manufacturing sub-sector.

Employment in the sampled enterprises declined by 762 employees to 21,739 compared to the second quarter last year.

Lm28.7 million were paid out in wages and salaries - an increase of Lm0.5 million.

Overall investment in manufacturing increased by Lm0.7 million to nearly Lm9 million compared to Lm8.3 million in the same period the previous year.

Investment by the printing and publishing and the radio, television and telecommunications sub-sectors increased by Lm1.5 million and Lm0.9 million respectively.

There was a drop in investment of Lm0.9 million in the food and beverages manufacturing sub-sector.