Total sales by manufacturing enterprises rose by Lm7.5 million (3.1 per cent) to reach Lm252.6 million in the June quarter compared to the same period last year, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

It said the food and beverages sub-sector saw its sales performance rise by nearly Lm3.5 million, or 12.3 per cent, to Lm31.9 million.

Sales by the radio, TV and communications sub-sector increased by Lm2.6 million, or 2.2 per cent.

Gains were also registered by the transport equipment, the medical and precision equipment and the textiles sub-sectors.

The clothes and the furniture manufacture sub-sectors dropped by Lm1.9 million (12.9 per cent) and Lm1.3 million, (9.5 per cent,) respectively.

The NSO said that during the second quarter employment in sampled industries dropped by 844 compared to the same period last year. Most of the job losses were in the clothing, plastic and rubber products and leather sectors. But there was an increase of 227 workers in the radio, TV and communications sector and 109 employees in the printing and publishing sector.

Salaries in the period under review amounted to Lm30.5 million, up by Lm1.1 million.

Overall investment in manufacturing during the quarter increased by Lm200,000 to Lm12.1 million.