Increased activity in manufacturing

Sales and investment in manufacturing industry increased during the second quarter of 2006, driven mainly by the TV, radio and communication equipment sub-sector, while employment declined, the National Statistics Office said.

Total sales by manufacturing enterprises increased by 7.5 per cent to Lm259.3 million compared to the same period last year.

Employment in the sampled enterprises declined by 1,269 employees to 18,367. A total of Lm29.7 million was paid out in gross wages and salaries by the sampled enterprises, marginally down from that of the same period last year.

Overall investment amounted to Lm14.5 million, an increase of Lm2.5 million when compared to the same period of 2005. Higher investment in the radio, TV and communication equipment sub sectors offset declines in investment in other sub-sectors of the manufacturing industry.