(VOVworld) - The national index of industrial production (IIP) in the first two months of this year posted a year-on-year increase of 6.6 percent, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO). The index in February grew nearly 8 percent against the previous year.

Growth was reported in the production of automobiles and steel while that of paint, leather footwear, motorbikes, sugar, and mobile phones reduced between 0.1 percent and 3.5 percent. Localities where industrial production surged included Quang Nam, Thai Nguyen, Hai Phong, Can Tho, Da Nang, Hai Duong, Hanoi, Dong Nai, Ho Chi Minh City, and Binh Duong.