Office Equipment Gives Brazilian Industry Best Performance in 4 Years

The Brazilian industry increased its production by 2.8% in the month of October, compared with September, thus compensating the 0.6% decrease recorded in the previous month. In comparison with September of last year, the sector grew 10.3%. The growth rate was the highest recorded since August 2004, when the national industry grew by 13.3%.

The data were taken from the Monthly Industrial Survey, disclosed today, December 5, by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). According to the survey, the rate recorded in October led the country's industrial output to its greatest monthly increase since September 2003 (4.6%).

The survey shows that the rise in production level in October this year took place in 20 of 27 activities surveyed.

The sectors that led the increase were automotive vehicles (7.0%); cellulose and paper (8.8%); other chemical products (4.8%); machinery for offices and computer equipment (16.4%); machinery and equipment (3.3%); and electrical machinery, appliances and material (5.9%).

In the assessment of the IBGE, the result reflects the growth in domestic consumption, which has been favored by good credit conditions and rising investment.

Production in October was also the highest in the historical series for the segments of capital goods (machinery and equipment), intermediate goods (inputs for the industry) and durable consumer goods (automobiles, electric household appliances, and electric and electronic devices), according to the survey.

ABr