Core sector output shrinks by 5.2% in September

Output of core infrastructure industries shrank by 5.2% in September 2019 as seven of eight sectors witnessed negative growth, according to official data released on Thursday.

The eight core sectors had expanded by 4.3% in September 2018.

Production of seven sectors of coal, crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, cement, steel, and electricity contracted in September.

Fertilizers production increased by 5.4% in September 2019 over the year-ago month.

During the April-September period, the growth of core industries fell to 1.3% against 5.5% in the year-ago period.