ISLAMABAD: Large-scale manufacturing (LSM) posted a growth of 5.27 per cent during the second month of the current fiscal year from a year ago.

The industrial output witnessed an upward trend as the growth in July 2014 was 1.14pc, which was negligible caused by the lower energy supply to the industries especially in Punjab.

The positive growth in August 2014 was mainly because of growth in 12 categories of items over the corresponding month of last year, suggested data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics issued on Tuesday.

Major contribution towards positive growth in LSM performance in August 2014 was from textile 1.13pc; food and beverages 11.54pc; paper and board 3.22pc, electronics 22.98pc, iron and steel products 10.56pc; leather products 5.27pc; chemicals 9.03pc; non-metallic mineral products 18.31pc; rubber products 27.48pc; engineering products 0.75pc; pharmaceuticals 1.48pc; and automobiles 20.05pc.

Last year, the LSM sector, which accounts for 70pc of industrial production, recorded a positive growth of 3.95pc.

Some sectors, like fertilisers witnessed a negative growth of 3.73pc; wood products 76.87pc; and petroleum products 4.01pc during the month under review from the last year.

Industry specific data showed that many sub-sectors didn’t perform well in August 2014 over the corresponding month of last year.

In electronic and electrical goods, production of refrigerators recorded a positive growth of 39.03pc; deep-freezers 19.36pc; air-conditioners was increased by 42.54pc; electric fans 47.32pc; electric motors 1.62pc; electric meters 41.59pc; electric transformers 91.72pc; TV sets 10.37pc; storage batteries 45.74pc; and bicycles 14.44pc.

However, the production of electric bulbs declined by 31.26pc; and switch gears 2.13pc during the month under review over the last year.

The growth was witnessed in case of food, beverages and tobacco. The sector has adjusted weightage of 12.37pc in LSM basket.

A positive growth of 1.95pc was witnessed in vegetable ghee production. Cooking oil production was up by 6.34pc; and tea blended 19.13pc.

The production of trucks was up by 216.95pc; tractors 68.45pc; jeep and cars 20.71; and motor cycles 9.99pc during August 2014 from the corresponding month of last year. However, production of buses was down by 22.73pc and LCV’s 4.51pc during the month under review over the last year.

Published in Dawn, October 22nd, 2014