Belarusian industrial output down 1% in Jan-June
MINSK. July 18 (Interfax) - Belarusian industrial output amounted to 326 trillion Belarusian rubles in constant prices in January-June 2014, the National Statistics Committee reported.
Industrial output fell 1% year-on-year.
The drop in industrial output has gradually slowed this year with a slump of 1.3% in January-May, 3.4% in January-April, 4.4% in January-March, 5.5% in January-February and 7.9% in January.
The highest increase in output was in the production of fossil fuels with a rise of 42.5% to 3.37 trillion rubles, as well as chemicals production (including pharmaceuticals) with a climb of 14.5% to 31.76 trillion rubles, timber processing - 7.3% to 5.74 trillion rubles and the pulp and paper industry - 3.7% to 5 trillion rubles.
Output in oil refining climbed 4.1% to 56.75 trillion rubles.
There was a drop in output in the other industries. The biggest fall was observed in the production of transport means and equipment at 23.8% to 12.43 trillion rubles, as well as the production of machinery equipment with a drop of 19.5% to 25.8 trillion rubles and the production of rubber and plastic goods - 12.1% to 11.24 trillion rubles.
The production of other minerals fell 2.7% to 1.73 trillion rubles; the production of food products, including tobacco and beverages, - 3.2% to 72.99 trillion rubles; textiles and clothing manufacturing - 2.2% to 10 trillion rubles; the leather and footwear industry - 6.2% to 2.46 trillion; the production of other non-mineral products (cement, dry construction mixes, glass, etc.) fell 0.8% to 17.42 billion rubles; and electrical and optical equipment fell 4.2% to 11.2 trillion rubles.
There was a 1.1% drop in the production and distribution of gas, electricity and water to 28.76 trillion rubles.
Industrial output went down 4.8% in 2013.
The official exchange rate on July 18 stood at 10,270 Belarusian rubles/$1.
