Industrial production was 2.2 percent higher this February compared to February 1996, and its year-to-year growth was 1.6 percent for the first two months of 1997, the Statistical Bureau reported. The highest growth was recorded in transportation vehicles and optical devices production, while clothing and textile sectors saw the highest decline.
Construction output was 15.6 percent higher in February compared with the same month in 1996, and its annual growth was 8.5 percent for the first two months of 1997. Also, retail sales increased, pushing 5.4 percent higher this February compared with February 1996.
