The rise of 0.8% in total production output for Quarter 3 (July to Sep) 2018, compared with Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2018, is due primarily to a rise of 0.6% in manufacturing, supported by upward contributions from the other sectors.

The quarterly increase in manufacturing output, reverses the fall in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2018, due primarily to growth from transport equipment (2.3%), and basic metals and metal products (1.9%).

In September 2018, total production output was estimated to have remained flat at 0.0%, compared with August 2018, due to a 0.2% rise in manufacturing being offset by downward contributions from the other main sectors.

The monthly increase in manufacturing output of 0.2% was due mainly to strength from basic pharmaceutical products (3.9%), chemicals and chemical products (2.8%), and other manufacturing and repair (1.4%); only 6 of the 13 manufacturing sub-sectors increased.