ISLAMABAD
The large scale manufacturing sector recorded growth of 2.15 per cent during seven months (July-January) of the ongoing financial year 2014-2015 over the corresponding period of previous year.
The Quantum Index Number (QIM) of LSM industries stood at 121.12 points during July-January of 2014-15 as compared to 118.57 points of the preceding year, registering an increase of 2.15 per cent, according to the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
Meanwhile, the LSM sector had shown growth of 1.11 per cent in the month of January 2015 as compared to same month last year. The LSM sector had not been recording healthy growth during ongoing fiscal year.
 In July 2014, the LSM grew by 1.14 per cent that rebounded to 5.27 per cent in August and 1.82 per cent expansion was recorded in September. Meanwhile, it posted growth of 1.82 per cent in October, 4.89 per cent in November and 2.35 per cent in December.
Major contribution towards positive growth in LSM performance in July-January 2014-2015 was from textile 0.64 per cent; coke and petroleum products 3.2 per cent, pharmaceuticals 5.55 per cent, chemicals 4.74 per cent, non-metallic mineral products 3.88 per cent, automobiles 13.68 per cent, iron & steel products 32.74 percent, electronics 9.29 per cent, leather products 9.33 per cent and rubber products showed growth of 1.96 per cent.
Meanwhile, the following of the industries recorded negative growth food and beverages 2.58 per cent, fertilizers 0.28 per cent, paper and board 2.34 per cent, engineering products 4.94 per cent and wood products showed negative growth of 77.5 per cent during July-January 2014-2015 period.
In electronic and electrical goods, production of refrigerators recorded a positive growth of 12.4 per cent; electric fans 7.05 per cent, electric meters, 67.07 per cent, electric transformers 169.21 per cent, TV sets, 3.19 per cent, storage batteries 13.8 per cent and bicycles 4.28 per cent during July-January period.  However, the production of deep-freezers declined by 5.81 per cent; air-conditions 13.05 per cent, electric bulbs 12.28 per cent; electric motors 3.68 per cent; switch gears 11.22 per cent during the period under review over the same period last year.
In automobile sector, the production of trucks was up by 65.59 per cent; tractors 36.20 per cent; jeep and cars 20.20 per cent. However, production of buses was down by 3.7 per cent motorcycles 1.7 per cent during July-January 2014-2015 from the corresponding period of last year.