According to preliminary data, Bulgaria's industrial production index increased by 0.2 per cent in April 2010 as compared to April 2009, the National Statistical Institute said Thursday. Increases by 1.9 per cent were registered in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, and by 0.4 per cent in manufacturing , while a 5.0 per cent decrease was seen in the mining and quarrying industry.

Production of intermediate goods rose by 5.0 per cent, production of investment goods - by 4.9 per cent, production of energy - by 0.9 per cent.

In April 2010, the industrial production index decreased by 6.4 per cent as compared to the previous month. Decreases of 16.6 per cent were registered in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, of 10.3 per cent in the mining and quarrying industry, and of 2.8 per cent in manufacturing. The most significant decreases of production were seen in the manufacture of tobacco products - by 26.4 per cent, in the manufacture of fabricated metal products - by 11.4 except machinery and equipment, in the manufacture of apparel by 10.5 per cent, in the manufacture of chemicals and chemical products by 8.4 per cent. There were increases in the manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products by 7.0%, in the printing and reproduction of recorded media by 2.8 per cent.

According to preliminary data, in April 2010 the industrial turnover index increased by 9.7 per cent compared to April 2009. The increase in the mining and quarrying industry was by 35.4 per cent, in the manufacturing by 10.3 per cent and in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply by 4.0 per cent.

In April 2010, the turnover decreased by 1.9 per cent as compared to the previous month. The decrease in the in the electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply was by 14.9 per cent. The mining and quarrying industry increased by 18.3 per cent and manufacturing - by 1.4 pre cent.

Source: BTA