RIYADH: Industrial production in Jordan rose by 1.44 percent during the first 10 months of the year, supported by continued growth in manufacturing and electricity output, according to official data released by the country’s Department of Statistics. 

The General Industrial Production Quantity Index reached 88.89 points during the period, compared with 87.62 points in the same period of the previous year, based on the revised base year of 2018, which equals 100, according to a report by the Jordan News Agency, citing the department. 

Manufacturing activity was the main driver of growth, with output increasing by 1.40 percent over the 10-month period. 

The sector carries the largest weighting in the index at 88.7 percent, underscoring its central role in Jordan’s industrial performance. 

Electricity generation recorded a stronger increase of 3.31 percent, accounting for 5.9 percent of the index, while output in the extractive industries declined by 0.42 percent, with a relative weight of 5.4 percent. 

On an annual basis, the industrial production index rose by 1.19 percent in October, indicating continued momentum in industrial activity compared with the same month a year earlier. 

However, on a month-on-month basis, the index declined by 1.41 percent compared with September, reflecting short-term fluctuations across key sectors. 

The index stood at 88.20 points in October, up from 87.17 points in the same month the previous year, but down from 89.47 points recorded in September. 

Sectoral data showed that the year-on-year increase in October was supported by a 0.87 percent rise in manufacturing output, a 3.36 percent increase in extractive industries, and a 4 percent gain in electricity production. 

In contrast, month-on-month comparisons showed a 1.51 percent decline in manufacturing output and a 6.83 percent contraction in electricity generation, while extractive industries recorded a 6.70 percent increase. 

Regionally, industrial output trends have been stronger in larger neighboring economies. 

Saudi Arabia’s Industrial Production Index expanded by 8.9 percent year on year in October, driven by robust increases in mining and quarrying, manufacturing, and utilities sub-sectors, with the index reaching 116.51 points compared with the prior year, according to official statistics. 

Meanwhile, Egypt’s industrial production rose by approximately 2.7 percent year on year in September, reflecting moderate expansion in manufacturing and related activities.