HANOI, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's overall index of industrial production (IIP) in the first eight months of this year decreased 0.4 percent year on year due largely to the difficult situation of global economy, according to the country's General Statistics Office (GSO) on Thursday.
The index for the processing and manufacturing sector went down 0.6 percent, the index for the electricity production and distribution sector expanded 1.7 percent, and the index for the water supply and waste management sector increased 4.8 percent, according to the office.
A number of key industries saw increased IIP in the eight-month period, including the sectors with coke, refined petroleum products (up 9.9 percent), tobacco products (up 8.6 percent), and rubber, plastic products (up 8.4 percent), according to the office.
Vietnam's overall IIP in August increased 2.6 percent year on year. Electricity generation and distribution sector recorded the highest IIP growth of 3.7 percent, followed by processing and manufacturing sector with an increase of 3.5 percent and the water supply, waste water treatment and management activities with a rise of 1.8 percent, the office said.
As of Aug. 1, the total number of employees in the industrial sector decreased by 2.9 percent year on year, said the office. ■