ISLAMABAD, Dec 7: The large-scale manufacturing (LSM) slowed down in the first quarter of this fiscal year as it recorded a marginal growth of 6.83 per cent over the corresponding period last year due to capacity constraints and slower demand, data issued by Statistics Division on Friday showed.

Many sub-sectors of the LSM did not perform well during July-September particularly electronic goods, indicating that the 10.5 per cent LSM growth target set for 2007-08 was unlikely to be achieved.

The growth in LSM had been shrinking for the last three years as it grew by 8.8pc in 2006-07 as against 19.9pc growth recorded in 2004-05 owing to capacity constraints and high cost of doing business that resulted into closure of many units.

As a result of decline in LSM, the import bill of consumer and electronic goods swelled during the period under review. The slump in the industrial growth had greatly affected the export of commodities, which grew by only six per cent during the quarter.

The statistics collected by the ministry of industries and production directly from industrial units are based on 35 leading industrial sectors, provincial bureau of statistics about 54 items and oil companies advisory committee about 11 items, respectively.

According to the figures, the production of cigarettes increased by 5.31pc and cotton yarn grew by 4.53 per cent. However, cotton cloth production dipped 1.23pc during the first quarter of current fiscal.

The vegetable ghee production declined by 1.55pc, while cooking oil manufacturing witnessed a rise of 2.83pc, wheat 5.98pc, starch and its products 1.41pc, beverages 59.49pc during the period under review.

The production of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) rose by 26.61pc, jeeps and cars by 0.95pc, buses 17.79pc, motorcycles 30.47pc during the first quarter (July-Sept). However, the production of trucks dropped by 23.26pc and tractors 4.19pc, respectively. Similarly, production of diesel engines up by 35.69pc.

However, the production of cycle tyres down 11.05pc, cycle tubes production grew by 4.72pc, motor tyres 15.19pc and motor tubes 29.17pc.

The production of paper and board dipped 14.64pc during the period under review. But petroleum products up by 14.02pc and cement 22.33pc.

The production of glass sheet recorded 3.27pc decline.

Iron and steel production up by 1.77pc, coke 23.54pc, pig iron 8.66pc and HR sheets 4.80pc during July-September over the same period last year. However, billets production declined by 4.97pc.

Among the electrical production, refrigerators recorded a growth of 15.60pc, deep-freezers 13.91pc, electric fans 38.23pc.

However, production of air-conditioners dipped by 6.37pc, electric bulbs 4.91pc, electric tubes 17.17pc, electric motors 14.23pc, electric meters 37.93pc, switch gears 5.58pc, electric transformers 27.46pc, TV sets 7.61pc and bicycles 4.21pc during the period under review.