Vietnam’s index of industrial production (IIP) for January-October increased by 6.9 percent over the same period last year, fuelled by growth in almost areas, reported the Ministry of Industry and Trade at a televised conference in Hanoi on November 3.

The October IIP growth rate was up 4.6 percent and 7.9 percent on a monthly and yearly basis, respectively.

The ministry’s report also showed that during the ten-month period, the mining, processing-engineering and water and sewage treatment sectors expanded by 0.7 percent, 8.4 percent and 6.4 percent.

Meanwhile, higher growth was also seen in electricity production and distribution, fisheries processing and preservation, textile and footwear sectors, ranging from 11.5 percent to 20.8 percent.

Deputy General Director of the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PVN), Nguyen Hung Dung, said the sector generated 626 trillion VND (29 billion USD), meeting 90 percent of its annual target so far.

Coal productivity reached 28.6 million tonnes, accounting for 84 percent of the annual target, General Director of the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group Dang Thanh Hai reported.

He added that coal consumption hit 29.2 million tonnes, up by 8 percent in the reviewed period, with domestic consumption accounting for 24.3 million tonnes, up by 29 percent.

The chemical fertiliser sector also saw a slight increase in production and a decline in imports, both in quantity and value.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Cam Tu urged the sectors to balance supply and demand, and increase exports while also developing the domestic market.-VNA