Slovenia’s industrial production increased 8% y/y in 2017, the Slovenian Statistical Office announced on February 9. Production was also up 12.2% y/y and 2.7% m/m in December.

According to the European Commission, high growth in industrial production, very high capacity utilisation in the export sector, and growing export markets are creating room for further investment in production capacity in Slovenia. This indicates a continued upward trend in 2018.

Industrial production growth has accelerated in recent years. The rise in industrial production in 2017 followed a 6.6% y/y expansion in 2016. Previously, in 2015, Slovenia’s industrial production increased by 4.5% y/y, continuing the upward trend seen in 2014 when it rose 1.6% y/y.

According to the latest statistical office data, the value of industrial production (industrial activity) increased compared to the previous year, mainly due to the increase in manufacturing - by 8.7%. This was accompanied by a 3.4% y/y improvement in mining and quarrying as well as an increase of 1.8% y/y in electricity, gas and steam supply.

In December against December 2016, industrial activity increased in manufacturing by 13.3% and decreased in mining and quarrying by 3.1% as well as in electricity, gas and steam supply by 0.6%.

In December the value of industrial production was 32.2% higher than the average of 2010. The largest long-term increase was recorded in high-technology manufacturing; production in December was 73.6% higher than the 2010 average, statistical office said on February 9.