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Industrial Statistics 1997 |
The Department of
Statistics and Research announces that it has published the annual report "Industrial
Statistics 1997".
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
sectors 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. |