Malaysia's industrial production index (IPI) improved by 3.1% year-on-year in March 2023, driven by a 4.1% expansion in the manufacturing sector, and a 0.8% rebound in the mining sector.However, the electricity index slipped by a negative 0.3% during the month versus a positive 1.1% in February 2023, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said in a statement.Month-on-month, the IPI saw a vigorous 8.3% growth in March 2023, after a consecutive three-month declining trend. However, growth in the IPI moderated to 2.8% versus 4.0% registered in the last quarter of 2022.Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the 4.1% rise in manufacturing output was mainly backed by domestic-oriented industries, which rose by 5.0% (February 2023: 7.0%). “The rise in the domestic-oriented industries was propelled by the manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers by 9.8% (February 2023: 9.5%) and fabricated metal products manufacturing, with the exception of machinery and equipment, which saw a 5.5% rise (February 2023: 8.5%),” he said.The export-oriented industries grew by 3.6% (February 2023: 3.7%), induced by the manufacture of computers, electronics and  optical products, which rose by 7.1% (February 2023: 6.4%), and the manufacture of vegetable and animal oils and fats, which soared by 15.2% versus 18.3% in February 2023. Compared to February 2023, the manufacturing sector recorded a positive 7.8% growth, after registering a continuous decline since December 2022.On a year-on-year comparison, the manufacturing index rose by 3.4% and the mining index was 2.1% higher, while the electricity index saw a 1.2% decline. (ICE KUALA LUMPUR)

Fonte notizia: 9 Maggio 2023, Kuala Lumpur