Industrial production in Serbia, excluding Kosovo-Metohija, rose 14.3 percent in March 2004 compared with the 2003 average, and 17.6 percent compared with March 2003. Industrial production in the January to March period 2004 grew 11.7 percent. By sector, in March 2004, the processing sector recorded a 16.5 percent increase against last year’s average, the production and distribution of electric energy, gas, and water saw a 9.5 growth, while output in the mining sector grew 3.8 percent.
The production of capital goods in March 2004 rose 73 percent compared with the 2003 average, intermediary goods, not including energy, grew 17 percent, energy grew 8.7 percent, consumer goods 4.7 percent, while the production of durable consumer goods fell 5.2 percent against the 2003 average.
Industrial production in March 2004 recorded an increase in 16 sectors, which make up 62 percent of overall industrial production, while 13 sectors, which account for 38 percent of overall output saw a decline.
The December 2003 rising trend in overall industrial production continued in the first quarter 2004.