KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's industrial output rose 3.5% in January from a year ago, underpinned by gains especially in the manufacturing sector, which was below Bloomberg's survey of a 5.3% increase.The Statistics Department announced on Monday the industrial production index (IPI) was supported a 4.6% increase in manufacturing, mining (1.1%) and electricity (1.1%).“The manufacturing sector output increased by 4.6% in January 2017 after an expansion of 4.3% recorded in December 2016,” it said.The department said the major sub-sectors which increased in January 2017 were: electrical and electronics products (6.9%); petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic Products (2.3%); and food, beverages and tobacco (6.8%).However, the mining sector output grew at a slower pace of 1.1% in January 2017 after registering a higher growth of 5.8% in December 2016.The natural gas index increased by 5.3%. However, the crude oil index declined by 2.3%.The electricity sector output increased slightly by 1.1% in January 2017 after a significant growth of 6.1% in December 2016.Meanwhile, the sales value of the manufacturing sector in January 2017 recorded RM61.2bil, an increase of 10.7% (RM5.9bil) as compared to RM55.3bil a year ago.Total employees engaged in the sector was 1,044,346 persons, an increase of 1.4% or 14,193 persons as compared to 1,030,153 persons in January 2016.Salaries and wages paid increased by 1.5% (RM49.3mil) to record RM3,300.3mil.Productivity increased by 9.2% to record RM58,580 from a year ago.

Source: The Star March 13, 2017 04:10 UTC