The index of industrial production (IIP) in the first six months of 2021 rose by 9.3% compared to the same the period last year, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.

The manufacturing sector continued to be the main driver of growth, with its IIP rising by 11.6%.

In other industrial sectors, power generation and distribution increased 8.6% while water supply and waste treatment went up 6.8%.

The mining and quarrying sector declined by 6%, driven by a 10.1% decrease in crude oil and natural gas production, and a 4.4% fall in the mining of hard and brown coal.

Data released by the MOIT showed strong growth in some sectors such as metal production (up 37%), motor vehicle manufacturing (up 33.1%), manufacturing of equipment and machinery (up 17.2%), and leather production (up 12.9%).

Other notable sectors with solid increases in their IIP included computers, electronic and optical devices, and paper and electric devices.

In June alone, industrial production climbed by 0.5% as against the previous month and 6.8% compared to the same month in 2020.