The nation's Index of Industrial Production (IIP) increased 4.8 percent in the first nine months of this year, compared to the same period last year, the General Statistics Office (GSO) reported.

The index in September rose 4.6 percent over the previous month and 9.7 percent over the same month last year, the GSO said.

In specific industrial sectors, electrical generation and distribution grew 12.8 percent during the nine-month period, while water supply and treatment grew 8.4 percent. Manufacturing and processing rose 4.2 percent, while the mining industry saw growth of 4 percent.

Car and motorbike parts production skyrocketed by 148.4 percent during the period, while telecommunications equipment production grew by 57.3 percent. Shipbuilding and floating tanks saw a 44.5-percent increase, while production of electronic components rose by 22.3 percent.

Growth in industrial production has slowed due to global economic instability and domestic shortcomings, including high inventories, said the GSO, which noted that the IIP has risen between 10 to 17 percent in stable periods during previous years.

Manufacturing and processing, which represents up to 70 percent of all industrial production value, saw a 6.4-percent increase in the consumption index during the nine-month period, while inventory levels were at 20.4 percent as of September 1.

Around the country, the northern province of Bac Ninh posted the highest IIP growth during the nine-month period, rising 23.5 percent, following by southern Binh Duong province, up 7.9 percent; Dong Nai, up 6.9 percent; the central city of Da Nang, up 6.1 percent; the northern city of Hai Phong, up 5.1 percent; and Hanoi, up 4.3 percent.

Vinh Phuc and Hai Duong provinces saw declines of 4.7 and 1.7 percent, respectively. /.VNA