Key sectors posts poor growth 8212; CII

As many as 81 of the 129 sectors covered in Confederation of Indian Industry8217;s Ascon survey have reported a growth of less than 10 per cent as against 59 of the 120 sectors covered in the corresponding six months of 1999. In the automobile sector, medium and heavy commercial vehicle production was down 19 per cent, cars 6 per cent and scooter 24 per cent. Cement production grew merely 3.5 per cent, fertiliser 5.8 per cent and steel 9.6 per cent.

Sectors which recorded a high growth rate between 10 and 20 per cent include paints 12 per cent, colour picture tube 13 per cent, ceramics 15 per cent, earthmoving construction equipment 13 per cent, telecom equipment 15 per cent, light commercial vehicles 12 per cent, drugs and pharmaceuticals 16 per cent, synthetic detergents 10 per cent and personal healthcare 15 per cent.