KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's industrial production index (IPI) rose 1.3 percent year on year in December last year, driven by increases in manufacturing and electricity sectors, official data showed Friday.
Malaysian Statistics Department said in a statement that the manufacturing output grew 3.4 percent in the month, driven by sub-sectors such as non-metallic mineral products; basic metal and fabricated metal products; petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products; electrical and electronics products.
The electricity sector output also increased by 0.9 percent.
However, index of mining fell 4.9 percent, due to the decreases in crude oil and condensate index and natural gas index.
For the full year, the IPI accelerated by 2.4 percent, underpinned by manufacturing and electricity segments.
MIDF Research said in a note Friday that it expects industrial activities in Malaysia to expand at solid pace this year.
The research house forecast IPI growth at 2.9 percent for 2020, underpinned by recovery in mining output and strong growth of domestic-oriented industries.
The 2020 forecast figure is slightly higher than its last year's estimated growth of 2.4 percent.
