Romanian industry turnover grew by 13.5 percent in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the same period last year, due to 14 percent growth in the manufacturing industry and 2.6 percent growth in the mining industry, data from the National Statistics Institute (INS) shows. In March, industry turnover went up by 16.5 percent compared to March 2013.

All the main industrial groups posted growth in the first quarter. The energy sector grew by 31.1 percent, the hard-goods industry was up 13.5 percent, the intermediary goods industry increased by 12.9 percent, capital goods industry went up by 11.6 percent, and current use goods industry gained 10.4 percent, according to statistics.

New industrial orders were up 15.8 percent, in value, in the first quarter compared to the same period last year.

Industry was the main driver for Romania’s GDB growth last year, due to strong exports. For this year data shows that domestic consumption is also picking up.

Andrei Chirileasa, andrei@romania-insider.com