Agência Brasil*
Rio de Janeiro – Brazilian industrial production grew 3.2% in July when compared to the same month last year. When compared to June, the growth was 0.6%, after a reduction of 1.3% from May to June. In the first seven months of the year, the increase was 2.7% as against the same period in 2005.
The figures, in the Monthly Industrial Research, were disclosed yesterday (05) by the Brazilian Institute for Geography and Statistics (IBGE) and show that the growth was generalized, reaching 17 of the 23 areas in the sector.
The Industrial Coordinator at the IBGE, Sílvio Salles, evaluated the July result as moderate, although he pointed out that the expansion may mean the return to growth in various sectors.
As an example he mentioned the mining sector, which grew 5.2% after some oilrigs underwent maintenance, and the ironworks industry, which grew 4.2%, after a blast furnace returned to operation.
"The return to production in these sectors resulted in growth that, despite moderate, shows that industry continues expanding," explained Salles.
According to Salles, other sectors that contributed to the expansion in July were sector like vehicles (2%), beverages (4.4%) and chemical products (2.9%). Also according to the economist, the expansion in July is a positive signal for industrial production in coming months.
*Translated by Mark Ament
