Industrial production rose a stronger than expected 2.6 percent in November on robust activity in the auto and machinery sectors for the ninth consecutive monthly gain, the government said Monday.
The seasonally adjusted output strength, which comes despite the nation's high unemployment rate and falling consumer sentiment, added to the view that the recovery is highly dependent on exports, amid signs of upturns in other major economies.
The index of output at factories and mines stood at 88.3 against the base of 100 for 2005, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in a preliminary report. It rose at a faster pace than the 0.5 percent hike in October and 2.1 percent gain in September.