Manufacturing investment and employment declines
A sample survey among manufacturing enterprises in the fourth quarter of 2009 revealed that, year-on-year, turnover, investment and employment declined while wages and salaries increased, the NSO said on Tuesay.
During the fourth quarter of 2009, turnover of the sampled manufacturing enterprises fell by 1.6 per cent to €506.9 million when compared to the fourth quarter of 2008. This decline was mainly observed in the radio, TV and communication equipment (-11.2 per cent), the food and beverages (-15.5 per cent) and the chemicals and chemical products sectors (-8.6 per cent).
This decline was partially mitigated by higher turnover in the electrical machinery and apparatus and the publishing and printing sectors, by 66.1 and 12.9 per cent respectively.
Investment of the sampled enterprises in the fourth quarter of 2009 fell by 54.8 per cent to €16.8 million, on account of a general decline in investment in the major manufacturing sectors.
At the end of December 2009, employment in the sampled enterprises declined by 5.5 per cent to 16,016 employees over the corresponding period in 2008. Lower employment levels were mainly recorded in the radio, TV and communication equipment sector (-23.5 per cent), the food and beverages sector (-5.5 per cent) and the rubber and plastic products sector (-5.9 per cent).
On the other hand, employment in the other transport equipment sector rose by 40.4 per cent when compared to December 2008. In the fourth quarter of 2009, €73.0 million was paid out in gross wages and salaries, representing an increase of 4.1 per cent over the corresponding period in 2008.
Related Articles:
- Turnover, investment and employment on the decline
by MaltaMedia News -1 December 2009 - Decrease in sales and employment as investment in 2008 declines
by MaltaMedia News -18 May 2009 - Survey shows decline in sales, investment and employment
by MaltaMedia News -18 March 2009 - Decrease in employment, sales and investment in first quarter
by MaltaMedia News -28 May 2009 - Decrease in employment, sales and investment
by MaltaMedia News -31 August 2009

