INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION in the euro zone rose by 6.6 per cent in the year to the end of January, according to new Eurostat figures.

Production in the 27 member states increased by 6.8 per cent during the same period.

Ireland recorded the second-lowest level of growth in production during the year. Industrial production rose in all member states except Portugal. The highest increase was registered in Estonia, where production grew by 28.8 per cent. Slovakia recorded growth in production of 17.1 per cent while Lithuania was up 16 per cent.

The smallest growth in industrial production in the year to the end of January were in Italy, which was up 0.6 per cent, Ireland, up 1.4 per cent, and Malta, up 2.1 per cent.

On an annual basis, industrial production of capital goods grew by 12.3 per cent in the euro zone and by 13.2 per cent in the member states. Intermediate goods increased by 10.1 per cent and 10.6 per cent respectively.

In addition, durable consumer goods rose by 3.8 per cent in the euro zone and by 3.4 per cent in the EU while non-durable consumer goods gained 0.3 per cent and 1.3 per cent respectively.

The highest monthly increases were registered in Malta, Estonia and the Czech Republic and the largest decreases in Portugal, Finland and Latvia.