In a statement today, Chief Statistician Uzir Mahidin said the expansion of sales value last December was reinforced by the double-digit growth in the transport equipment and other manufacturing sub-sector (10.9%), particularly the manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers.

“The growth was also attributable to the strong increase in petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastic products sub-sector (10.3%) supported by the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products industries, as well as the manufacture of food, beverages and tobacco sub-sector which accelerated further to 10.3% underpinned by the manufacture of food products,” he said.

He also noted that the sales value of export-oriented industries which accounted for 72.5% of total sales, grew modestly by 9.2% in December 2022 as compared to the double-digit growth of 13.6% recorded in November 2022, in line with the slower performance of exports during the month.

In addition, sales value in domestic-oriented industries improved slightly to 7.2% from a growth of 7.1% in the previous month.

In comparison with November 2022, he said sales value for export-oriented industries continued to decline by 2.3% while domestic-oriented industries returned to a negative growth of 0.3%, he said.

In the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2022, Uzir said the sales value of the manufacturing sector continued to record double-digit growth of 11.1% against Q4 2021 to RM474.4 billion.

The growth was propelled by petroleum, chemical, rubber and plastics products (16.2%); electrical and electronics products (14.8%); and food, beverages and tobacco products (6.5%) sub-sectors, he said.

“Summarising the overall performance in 2022, the sales value of the manufacturing sector was RM1,800.7 billion, an increase of 15.8% from 2021.

Uzir highlighted there were 2.34 million people engaged in the manufacturing sector in December 2022, up 3.4% from 2.26 million people a year ago.

“In line with the increase in employment, the salaries and wages paid in the manufacturing sector grew by 5.4%, amounting to RM8.56 billion.

Meanwhile, the services producer price index (SPPI) increased 3.3% in Q4 2022 compared to a year ago, DoSM said.

The SPPI averaged 114.3 points in Q4 compared to 110.7 a year ago, with most sub-sectors higher particularly in accommodation, and food and beverage service activities, recording an increase of 8% due to the increase in restaurants and mobile food service activities (9.5%).

“The arts, entertainment and recreation sub-sector increased 5.3% owing to the gambling and betting activities (6.3%). Meanwhile, the transportation sub-sector increased 5.3% due to passenger air transport (18.9%),” Uzir said.

Other sub-sectors which recorded an increase were education (1.1%), professional (0.5%) and healthcare (0.3%).

Nevertheless, he said the index of real estate activities, and information and communication remained unchanged.