In December 2005, as compared to December 2004, an increase of 40.2 per cent was registered in the total industrial new orders index, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

The domestic new orders index registered an increase of 65.7 per cent and an increase of 19.2 per cent was recoded in the export new orders index.

The industrial new orders indicator is compiled with the objective of showing the development of demand for goods and services (which are directly linked to these products) as an indication of future production.

Increases were registered in, among others, the manufacture of other transport equipment and the manufacture of medical, precision and optical instruments, watches and clocks. Drops of 70.4 per cent and 66.2 per cent respectively were recorded in the manufacture of machinery and equipment and the manufacture of textiles and textile products.

Increases in new orders for domestic market were recorded, among others, in the manufacture of radio, television and communication equipment and of chemicals and chemical products. On the other hand, decreases were registered among others in the manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers and manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery 50.7 and 25.7 per cent respectively.

With regard to export new orders, an increase took place in the manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and in the manufacture of radio, television and communication equipment among others. These were equivalent to 256.2 and 187.2 per cent respectively. The most pronounced drop occurred in the manufacture of machinery and equipment.