MOSCOW, FEBRUARY 6 (RIA NOVOSTI) - The Russian industrial output increased by 7.5 per cent last month, as against January 2003. The index for last year against January 2002 was 4.9 per cent, the federal Ministry of Economic Development and Trade says in a report it is circulating today on the latest national economic developments.
Fuel industry boasted the greatest progress, with 8.2 per cent. Chemical and petrochemical industries led with 10.3 per cent. Petroleum drilling came next with 10.2, and iron-and-steel industry 8.2 per cent.
Metalworking and engineering reported a spectacular output increase of 22.5 per cent. Railway machine-building, instrument-making, automotive and tractor industry, and farm machine-building were the quickest to make progress.
Electrical engineering brought its output 1.9 per cent down against January 2003, non-ferrous metal industry 2.7 per cent, and light industry 2.9 per cent.
