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The report provides detailed statistical data on the developments in the broad industrial sector covering mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas and water. 2. The major developments within each sector during 1997 compared to 1996 were:
Mining and Quarrying The mining and quarrying sector in 1997 decreased by 0,8% compared to the previous year. It is estimated that value added of the sector in real terms decreased from Cí10.414 thousand in 1996, to Cí10.326 thousand in 1997, reflecting the decrease in the production of sand gravel and road agregate due to the decline of the construction sector. The production of sand gravel and road aggregate, which accounts for the bulk of the sector’s output, dropped by 5,8% over 1996 and reached 6.870.000 tonnes in 1997 as against 7.290.000 tonnes in 1996. Decreases were recorded in the production of building stones, clay and umber, while the production of havara, marble, bentonite and gypsum increased. Exports of minerals during 1997 rose to Cí1,1 million compared with Cí0,8 million in 1996 and Cí2,4 million in 1988 and accounted for only 0,5% of total domestic exports. Employment in the sector remained at roughly the same level as in the previous year and accounted for about 600 persons.
Manufacturing During 1997 the manufacturing sector showed a recovery due mainly to an increase in foreign demand and tourism. Value added of the sector increased by 0,2% in real terms compared to a 1,6% decrease in 1996. Food, beverages and tobacco, which traditionally is the largest group and in 1997 contributed 33,9% to the manufacturing value added, registered a 1,0% increase at constant market prices in value added. This was mainly the result of a small increase in domestic demand. Textiles, wearing apparel and leather, the second largest group, contributing 13,2% to the manufacturing value added, recorded a decline of 2,6% at constant market prices in value added, attributable mainly to a decrease in exports of clothing, footwear and travel goods as well as a decline in domestic demand. Clothing, continued to be in 1997 the most important manufacturing item and its value of production is estimated at Cí118,7 million compared to Cí124,7 million in 1996. The price index of domestically produced manufactured goods rose by 2,3% over 1996, compared to a 2,7% rise in the previous year. This is attributed to an increase of 1,6% in local market prices, and 5,8% in export prices. Industrial exports, rose from Cí166,4 million in 1996 to Cí174,8 million in 1997 i.e. by 5,0%. Large increases were recorded in exports of cigarettes, cement, footwear, furniture, cosmetics and cheese. Decreases were recorded in exports of fruit juices, clothing, wines and edible oils. A relative diversification in the regional composition of manufactured exports towards European markets has been observed in recent years. In particular the share of such exports to European Union countries rose to 43,3% in 1997 from 39,3% in 1987 and 26,6% in 1982, while the share absorbed by Arab countries, fell to 33,1% in 1997 from 45,1% in 1987 and 62,2% in 1982. Expenditure on fixed assets in the sector during 1997 rose to Cí57,9 million compared to Cí66,1 million in 1996. Machinery and equipment accounted for 68,8% of investment, new buildings and works for 20,7% and transport equipment for the remaining 10,5%. Employment in manufacturing dropped from 41,9 thousand persons in 1996 to 40,9 thousand in 1997. At the same time, the percentage share of unemployment in the sector to total unemployment in the economy remained at 23,0% with monthly average unemployment rising to 2.390 in 1997 from 2.169 in 1996. Electricity, Gas and Water During 1997 there was an increase in the rate of economic growth in this sector, estimated at 2,0%, compared to 6,5% in 1996. Generation, transmission and distribution of electric energy, is by far the most important industry of the sector and in 1997 contributed 82,9% to the sectoral value added. Sales of electricity rose by 3,3% to 2.391,0 million kWh in 1997 from 2.315,3 million kWh in 1996. The highest increases were recorded in the consumption by financial, insurance, real estate and business services, distributive trades, and water supply. In the manufacturing sector the largest increases in the usage of electricity were recorded in food and petroleum refinery industries. Decreases were observed in the clothing , footwear and non metallic mineral products industries. Consumption of electricity by households rose by 1,2%, for public lighting by 17,7% and for water pumping purposes decreased by 31,2%. Expenditure on fixed assets in the sector rose to Cí58,1 million from Cí51,7 million in 1996. Construction works for the extension and re-inforcement of the electricity transmission system and the water supply system accounted for 49,8% of investment. Machinery and equipment accounted for 49,9% and transport equipment for the remaining 0,3%. Employment in the sector remained at about the same level as in the previous year and accounted for 1,6 thousand persons, which represents less than 0,6% of the total gainfully employed population for the production of the Gross Domestic Product. 3. The report is available for sale from the Government Printing Office at the price of C£7,00. |
