Spain's industrial production sees first increase in two years

MADRID - Spain's industrial production rose an unadjusted 6.8 percent in March on an annual basis, the first upturn since April 2008, according to official data released Wednesday.

The increase was 5.4 percent seasonally adjusted; and up 8.5 percent on February's output, the National Institute of Statistics (INE) said.

This was the second piece of good news in 24 hours for Spaniards, who were told Tuesday the country's unemployment rate fell in April for the first time in eight months.

According to the INE, almost all production sectors saw an upturn in March. Among them, production of non-durable goods rose 10 percent, and production of semi-finished goods was up 8.2 percent.

Strong growth was also recorded in the production of motor vehicles and iron- and steel-related goods.

Source: China Daily