Riyadh – Mubasher: Saudi Arabia’s Industrial Production Index (IPI) increased by 5.9 % in July, compared to the same month in 2020.

The annual rise mainly resulted from an 11.8% growth in mining and quarrying production, which accounted for 74.5% of the IPI, the state-run statistics authority GaStat revealed on Thursday.

Saudi oil production was operated at high volumes, with the production increasing to 9.4 million barrels per day (bpd) in July from 8.4 million bpd in the same month last year.

Non-oil manufacturing activity decreased by 9.2%, on an annual basis, last July. Electricity and gas supply production declined by 6.8%, having the lowest weight of 2.9% in the index.

On a monthly basis, Saudi Arabia’s industrial production increased by 4.3% in July compared to June this year. The rise was attributed to higher mining and quarrying activity by 6.1%.

Non-oil manufacturing activity decreased by 2.3% month-on-month (MoM) in July, while electricity and gas supply increased by 7.9%.