Despite recorded increases in the production of consumer goods and capital goods of 4% and 1.9%, respectively; significant drops have been registered in the production of energy (6.6%) and intermediate goods (1.7%).

The index of industrial production adjusted for working days decreased by 1.5%, as compared to the same month a year earlier. Drops were registered in the production of energy (6.6%), production of intermediate goods (3.4%) and the production of consumer goods (0.8%), while the production of capital goods was up by 3.0%, according to NSO figures.

The full report including charts and visual representation of data is available for download at the website of NSO.

The post Malta’s industrial output drops 1.7% in February first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

The campaign aims to “shed light on the great opportunities that exist in the manufacturing sector”, by telling the “inspiring stories” of those who have chosen a “rewarding career path in manufacturing”, according to Malta Chamber.

After surveying its members in December, the Malta Chamber says the manufacturing industry is expected to create 53% of the vacancies foreseen to emerge in the upcoming three years. The chamber insists their figures are valid even though the sector in question is only responsible for 30% of the interviewed candidates in their survey.

“In a survey carried out among all Malta Chamber members, regarding the expected recruitment they are projecting for 2019, 2020 and 2021, Manufacturing came out on top, as it is expected to provide 530 job vacancies from the 995 expected to be created in the next three years,” says Frank V. Farrugia, President of the Malta Chamber.

“We need to ensure that we keep the message live and loud in the market place that manufacturing offers long term, well-paying jobs. And this is exactly the aim of this campaign. A campaign where we will see employees endorsing manufacturing, showcasing their own life story with the aim of interesting others to embark on a similar path. We want to help to present this sector in the form and shape of what it has become today,” says William Wait, Chairman of Malta Enterprise.

“The manufacturing industry is the backbone of a strong economy. We want to bolster the industry in the nation’s long-term future. There are incredible job opportunities in our country that are a far cry from the prevailing perception,” says Chris Cardona Minister for the Economy,

The post ‘Make It’ campaign vows to promote manufacturing career first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.

A rise of 8.41% was recorded in intermediate goods in January, as compared to the same month a year earlier. Further slight increases were also seen in consumer goods (0.96%) and capital goods (0.19%). No price changes were registered within the energy sector, however.

Industrial producer prices for the domestic market saw a year-on-year increase of 0.52%. Price increases were recorded within intermediate goods (2.35%), consumer goods (1.54%) and capital goods (0.57%), the NSO figures show.

Non-domestic prices were up by 5.61% due to a rise of 7.13% within the non-euro area and 2.55% within the euro area, the NSO says.

Despite the annual rise, the producer price index for total industry registered a decrease of 0.07% over the previous month; December 2018. The figure was dragged down by a price drop of 0.18% within intermediate goods, supported by unchanged prices within the energy, capital and consumer goods sectors, NSO figures show. Prices within the domestic market remained constant, and non-domestic prices declined by 0.12%, the NSO adds.

The full report including charts and visual representation of data is available for download at the website of NSO.

The post Malta’s industrial prices up yoy 3.64% in January first appeared on The Malta Business Weekly.