Nation’s industrial production surges in Q1

He added the index rose 9.4% year-on-year for electricity production and distribution and 8.5% for water supply and waste treatment.

Meanwhile, the mining industry fell 2.1% in the three-month period.

Several sectors recorded IIP surges such as coke production (96%); metal manufacturing (37%); motor vehicles (21%); rubber and plastics (13%) and beverages (11%)

Other products that recorded a high production index compared with the same period last year included refined petroleum products (up 73.2%), iron and steel (65%), television sets (50%) and liquefied petroleum gas (38%). Others included urea fertiliser (up 13%), footwear (12%) and fish feed (11%).

From January to March, the IIP of 59 out of 63 provinces and centrally-run cities increased over the same period last year. The central province of Thanh Hoa recorded the highest IIP growth rate at 51.2% thanks to the Nghi Sơn oil refinery and petrochemical plant in the locality officially began commercial operations in December.

The southern province of Tra Vinh came next with growth of 41% because of the Duyen Hai thermal power plant’s production expansion. It was followed by the central province of Ha Tinh (34%) and the northern port city of Haiphong (20%). The northern provinces of Vinh Phuc, Quang Ninh and Hai Duong recorded 12%, 10% and 9.5%, respectively.

Meanwhile, the country’s economic hubs of HCM City and Hanoi lagged behind with respective IIP increases of 7% and 7.2%, the GSO noted.

According to the office, the number of employees working at industrial companies as of March 1 had risen by 2.3 compared to a year ago.