The national index of industrial production (IIP) posted a year-on-year increase of 7.3 percent in the first four months of this year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

Metal production grew by 21.4 percent; production of electronics, computers and optical products by 17.4 percent; furniture manufacturing by 16.5 percent; paper and paper-based products by 14.2 percent; automobiles by 14 percent; rubber and plastic-based products by 13.9 percent; textiles by 13.3 percent; and electricity production and distribution by 12.1 percent.

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Localities where industrial production surged included Thai Nguyen (42.7 percent), Quang Nam (32.8 percent), Can Tho (24 percent), Hai Phong (14.6 percent), Bac Ninh (14.5 percent), Da Nang (10.5 percent), Hanoi (8.8 percent), Binh Duong (7.3 percent), Ho Chi Minh City (6.2 percent), Ba Ria-Vung Tau (5 percent), and Vinh Phuc (4.6 percent).

High levels of inventory were seen in automobiles (61.3 percent); electronics, computers and optical products (60.2 percent); rubber and plastic-based products (27.9 percent); apparel (26.2 percent) and food production and processing (18.8 percent).

The workforce in the industrial sector as of April 1, 2016 expanded by 6 percent year-on-year.

Source: VNA