Industrial output continues to rise

Industrial output rose by 14.2 per cent yearon- year in October, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. This was the highest rise since the 18.6 per cent gain reported for January. Over the first 10 months of 2002, production rose by 12.3 per cent, following an 8.9 per cent gain for the whole of 2001.

The rise was driven by higher output of cars, chemicals and electronics, which were responsible for 39 per cent of growth. The 319,000 cars produced in October was 54 per cent more year-on-year, while output of mobile phones was 66 per cent higher.