Moroccan industrial production improves by 2% in fourth quarter of 1998

Industrial production in Morocco improved by 2% in the last three months of 1998, in comparison with the third quarter, says the statistics department.

Heads of enterprises predict a relatively less important growth in the first three months of 1999.

The sectors that fared best were food products and shoes, while the production of beverages, tanning products, ceramics, tiles and paint regressed.

Mining production grew by 1% in the four last months of 1998, mainly due to the improvement of phosphates production (2%), while other mining products stagnated or posted a slight growth.

Regarding energy, the statistics department notes that it remained stable while in the first three months of 1999 it is expected to experience a slight regression.