Industrial output grew 3 percent in February from the previous month, thanks to strong sales of new-model automobiles and extra working hours because of the leap year, according to a preliminary report issued Wednesday by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.
The seasonally adjusted index of industrial production reached 105.1 against a 100-point benchmark based in 1995, marking a second consecutive monthly increase and the highest level since October 1997.
On a year-on-year basis, production was up 8.4 percent, marking the biggest increase since March 1989.
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