Vietnam: Industrial output up 12 percent in early 2015

Hanoi, March 11 (VNA) – Annual Vietnamese factory production increased 12 percent within the first two months of 2015, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Increased output was seen in nearly all sectors; the processing-manufacturing and electricity generation-distribution sectors grew between 12-14 percent from the same period last year. Notably, seafood processing recorded a production growth of almost 21 percent. February alone saw a 7 percent increase in industrial production index, despite a nine-day Lunar New Year holiday. As of February 1, inventory was also following the upward trend, with stored optical and paper products soaring by 122 and 57 percent, respectively.-VNA