Core sectors stagnate in March
Updated: May 01, 2015 12:26:50pm
Production growth in these eight sectors during the fiscal year 2014-15 was at 3.5 per cent, which was lower than the 4.2 per cent growth posted in the previous fiscal year, according to figures released by the Commerce & Industry Ministry on Thursday.
The Industry representatives are concerned that the fall in production in the core sectors indicates a slowdown in economic activity.
In March 2015, steel production declined by 4.4 per cent, cement by 4.2 per cent and refinery products by 1.3 per cent. Coal production and fertiliser output, on the other hand, posted growth of 6 per cent and 5.2 per cent, respectively. Production in the remaining three sectors also posted a rise in March, albeit at lower rates. While natural gas production posted an increase of 1.5 per cent, both crude oil and electricity grew by 1.7 per cent each.
In 2014-15, coal posted a growth of 8.2 per cent, electricity grew at 8 per cent, cement increased by 5.6 per cent, steel rose by 0.5 per cent and refinery products increased by 0.4 per cent. Production of natural gas fell by 5.2 per cent, crude oil by 0.9 per cent and production of fertilisers by 0.1 per cent. (KNN/DB)