Statistics Estonia said yesterday that industrial production output in February was 5% higher than a year earlier, while output has increased in 9 out of 13 economic sectors.
Commenting the statistics, ministry of economic affairs Juhan Parts said that it is the manufacturing industry that is quickly becoming the engine for the economy.Parts said that the case in point is Ericsson that acquired a plant from Elcoteq in Tallinn and has recently launched production. "We are very optimistic about this year in terms of exports, provided that the macroeconomic situation abroad remains stable," said Parts.
Veiko Sepp, CEO of Ericsson Eesti, said that February was very good for the company that launched its production last year. Sepp said that the company's business of assemblying fourth generation mobile communication equipment has been growing. "We are preparing equipment for 4G networks and when they are launched we expect to increase output," siad Sepp.
Another electronics assembly plant in Estonia, Enics, says that output is growing and the company has already started to hire more workers for its plant in Elva.
Also forest industry companies are optimistic. Martin Arula, CEO of Toftan sawmills, says that February was very good. "Order structure and availability of raw material is notably better than it was a year ago. The two first quarters in 2009 were the worst that one can imagine. Now sales prices have improved and there is no more shortage of raw materials.
Toomas Hõbemägi
http://balticbusinessnews.com/article/2010/03/31/Manufacturing_industry_begins_to_drive_economic_recovery