The euro zone industrial new orders index had increased by 1.8 percent in July 2006 compared to the previous month, according to Eurostat estimates, the statistical service of the European Union (EU), on Friday.

The index dropped by 2.2 percent in June and rose by 2.8 percent in May.

EU-wide new orders grew by 1.6 percent in July 2006, compared to the previous month, after a fall of 1.0 percent in June and a rise of 2.4 percent in May.

Excluding shipping, railway and aerospace equipment, industrial new orders grew by 1.1 percent in July 2006 in the euro zone and by 1.0 percent EU-wide.

In July 2006, compared to July 2005, industrial new orders increased by 9.7 percent in the euro zone and by 9.5 percent in the whole EU. During this 12 months, total industry, excluding shipping, railway and aerospace equipment grew by 9.8 percent in the euro zone and by 9.1 percent EU-wide.

In July 2006 compared to June 2006, new orders for machinery and equipment increased by 5.0 percent in the euro zone and by 5.8 percent in the whole EU.

Transport equipment gained 3.9 percent and 3.1 percent respectively. Chemicals and chemical products grew by 1.6 percent in the euro zone and by 1.5 percent EU-wide.

Manufacturing of basic metals and fabricated metal products increased by 1.0 percent and 2.1 percent respectively. Textiles and textile products grew by 0.8 percent in the euro zone and by 0.1 percent EU-wide. Electrical and electronic equipment gained 0.8 percent in the euro zone, but fell by 0.9 percent EU-wide.

On a monthly basis, the highest increases were recorded in Slovakia (4.8 percent), Belgium (4.2 percent), Ireland, Italy and Portugal (3.8 percent each). The largest decreases were registered in Hungary (6.8 percent), Estonia (6.5 percent), Spain (2.2 percent) and the Czech Republic (0.8 percent).

In July 2006 compared to July 2005, new orders for basic metals and fabricated metal products grew by 19.0 percent in the euro zone and by 17.3 percent in the whole EU.

Manufacturing of machinery and equipment rose by 15.1 percent and 13.5 percent respectively. Chemicals and chemical products increased by 8.9 percent in the euro zone and by 7.8 percent in the whole EU.

Electrical and electronic equipment gained 7.5 percent and 6.2 percent respectively. Transport equipment grew by 3.3 percent in the euro zone and by 8.1 percent in the whole EU.

Textiles and textile products gained 0.5 percent in the euro zone but decreased by 0.5 percent EU-wide.

On a yearly basis, the highest increases were registered in Slovakia (33.6 percent), Poland (28.1 percent) and Belgium (21.4 percent). The only decrease, of 4.3 percent, was registered in Latvia.

Source: Xinhua