Industrial production index progresses, mining and energy regresses

The index of industrial production in Morocco has posted a 2.4% increase in 1998, compared to 1997, says the Moroccan statistics department.

Meanwhile, the indexes of mining and energy production regressed respectively by 0.4% and 0.7%.

The department attributes the progress in industrial production to better output of food industry, textile, transport equipment and electric and electronic devices. Industrial sectors that regressed in 1998 are leather industries, mineral processing, metal works and other processing industries.

The source ascribed the regression in the mining index to the 0.5% slump in phosphate production.

Regarding energy, the department said the decrease is due to the decrease of anthracite production by 28.4% and the oil refining activity by 2%.