Manufacturing output rose 6.2 percent year-on-year in December 2005, Statistics South Africa said on Thursday.

Data showed that manufacturing production for the whole of 2005 reflected an increase of 3.5 percent compared with 2004.

The total value of sales of manufactured products at current prices for 2005 increased by 6.4 percent (R51.162-billion) compared with the previous year.

Manufacturing production for the fourth quarter of 2005 increased by 0.1 percent after seasonal adjustment, compared with the third quarter of 2005.

The estimated total value of sales of manufactured products at current prices increased 0.4 percent (R962-million) during the fourth quarter, after seasonal adjustment.

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SA's official statistics body produces a number of key indicators, including monthly inflation and quarterly GDP figures, unemployment and population counts.

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