The index of industrial production for the manufacturing sector as a whole rose 5% in the fourth quarter over a year earlier, following a 3.4% year-on-year third quarter rise.

The corresponding producer price index rose 1.5% over a year earlier, lower than the 2% year-on-year third quarter increase.

The Census & Statistics Department said the chemical, rubber, plastic and non-metallic mineral products industry had the largest rise in output (+14.1%). This was followed by electrical and electronic products, machinery, professional equipment and optical goods(+9.9%), food, beverages and tobacco (+5.5%), basic metals and fabricated metal products (+3.8%), textiles (including knitting) (+1.3%) and paper products and printing (+0.8%).

However, an output fall was seen in the wearing apparel (except footwear) industry (-3.7%).

On a seasonally-adjusted basis, the index of industrial production for the manufacturing sector as a whole rose 1.4%.