January's industrial production index falls
The Industrial Production Index (IPI) in January dropped by 3.2 percent from December 2012 in several industries despite the upcoming Lunar New Year, according to the General Statistics Office.
In particular, mining fell 4.7 percent and the manufacturing and processing industry by 3 percent.
The electricity industry, and water supply and waste disposal sector saw less significant declines, with 1 percent and 0.4 percent respectively.
In January, the inventory index climbed 21.5 percent compared to the same period last year.
The number of workers at industrial enterprises increased by 5.2 percent against last year, despite numerous difficulties confronting industrial production, according to the General Statistics Office.
To ease the difficulties, the Ministry of Industry and Trade is taking measures to support agriculture, forestry and fishery production along with processing industry.
Besides, it is also pushing up the restructuring of State-owned enterprises so as to improve their competitiveness and efficiency.