Malaysia: March industrial output up 4.6%, lower than expected

• May 11, 2017

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s industrial output expanded 4.6% in March from a year ago, boosted by the manufacturing sector, but the growth was slower than Bloomberg’s survey of a 4.8% increase.
The Statistics Department said on Thursday the industrial production index’s (IPI) growth was supported by positive growth in manufacturing index (5.9%) and mining index (2.0%). 
However, the electricity index declined by 0.2%. 
“The manufacturing sector output accelerated to 5.9% in March 2017 after recording a 6.6% increase in February 2017,”  it said. 

The department said the major sub-sectors which recorded an expansion in March 2017 were the electrical and electronics products (8.5%); petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products (3.6%); and wood products, furniture, paper products, printing (10.3%). 
The mining sector output posted a higher growth of 2.0% in March 2017 after an increase of 0.4% recorded in February 2017. 
The growth in March 2017 was driven by a sustained increase of 7.9% in natural gas index. However, the crude oil index contracted at slower pace of 2.6%. 
The electricity sector output decrease marginally by 0.2% in March 2017 after registering a growth of 1.5% in February 2017. 

Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2017/05/11/march-industrial-output-up-4pt6pct-lower-than-expected/#mQT8K1vO2Y3ZwVeK.99