The Green Book: Current Economic Trends
Overview Although the economy, affected by plummeting growth in the fourth quarter of 2008, is still in recession, some economic indicators improved slightly in 2009. In February 2009, mining and manufacturing posted a month-on-month increase of 6.8 percent as exports fell at a slower pace, easing a year-on year drop from 25.5 percent in January to 10.3 percent in February. The service output posted a sharper month-on-month increase of 1.2 percent, or 0.1 percent rise year-on-year, the first increase in four months since October 2008. February consumer goods sales posted a year-on year...