Chart 2: Services - Value Added and Annual Percentage Change

Services sector expanded at a faster pace of 5.0 per cent from 4.4 per cent in the preceding quarter. The performance of Services sector was underpinned by Wholesale & Retail Trade which advanced to 6.5 per cent. Information & Communication remained resilient by posting a growth of 9.2 per cent. Meanwhile, Transportation & Storage rose to 6.0 per cent following a better momentum in freight and passenger segments.

Chart 3: Manufacturing - Value Added and Annual Percentage Change

Manufacturing sector increased further to 5.0 per cent (Q3 2015: 4.8%). As the key driver in Manufacturing, Electrical, Electronic & Optical products posted a sturdy growth at 10.5 per cent reflecting a higher momentum in consumer electronics and medical equipment products. Non-metallic Mineral products, Basic Metal & Fabricated Metal products rose to 4.7 per cent in line with an expansion in Construction sector.

Chart 4: Construction - Value Added and Annual Percentage Change

Construction sector grew 7.4 per cent (Q3 2015: 9.9%). Civil Engineering posted an impressive growth of 20.4 per cent which was mainly geared by oil & gas and transportation related projects. Furthermore, Residential Buildings improved to 5.7 per cent from 5.2 per cent in the preceding quarter.

Chart 6: GFCF – Value and Percentage Share at Constant 2010 prices

Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) eased to 2.8 per cent (Q3 2015: 4.2%). The moderation of GFCF was due to the decline in Machinery & Equipment (Q4 2015: -0.1%) and slower momentum in Structure at 5.1 per cent (Q3 2015: 7.0%). The momentum of GFCF was induced by Private sector which grew 5.0 per cent. Public sector slipped to a marginal growth of 0.4 per cent in this quarter.

Chart 7: Exports & Imports - Annual Percentage Change

Exports augmented to 3.7 per cent (Q3 2015: 3.2%). Imports improved to 3.6 per cent in this quarter (Q3 2015: 3.2%).