Core sector output slows to 4.5% in July, lowest in six months

According to official statistics issued on Wednesday, the production of eight essential infrastructure sectors fell to 4.5 percent in July, the lowest in six months, from 9.9 percent the previous year.

The production of these infrastructural sectors increased by 13.2 percent in June, 19.3 percent in May, 9.5% in April, 4.8% in March, 5.9% in February, and 4% in January.

In April-July of current fiscal year, output growth in eight infrastructure sectors (coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel, cement, and power) was 11.5 percent compared to 21.4 percent a year before.

Crude oil and natural gas production contracted by 3.8 per cent and 0.3 per cent, respectively, during the month under review.