Core sector growth flat; coal, power outputs fall

THE index tracking the growth of eight key infrastructure sectors remained flat (0% growth) in October as coal, crude oil, natural gas, and electricity output contracted year-on-year even as petroleum refinery products, fertilizer, cement and steel sectors show strong growth.

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Coal production declined by 8.5%, electricity generation declined by 7.6% and natural gas production fell 5%. Crude oil output fell by 1.2% year-on-year in October, according to the Index of Eight Core Industries released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.