The Czech Republic's industrial output growth accelerated somewhat in April, while its trade surplus decreased sharply from last year, separate reports from the Czech Statistical Office revealed on Monday.
Industrial production rose a working-day-adjusted 1.5% year-on-year in April, faster than the 0.9% increase in March.
The acceleration in growth momentum was largely driven by a 1.8% expansion in manufacturing output, followed by a 0.9% recovery in utility sector production. Meanwhile, the mining and quarrying industry logged a sharp contraction of 12.9%.
On a monthly basis, industrial production climbed 1.4%.
Separate official data showed that construction output grew 7.7% annually and by 0.6% monthly in April.
The trade surplus declined to 6.8 billion koruny in April from 18.3 billion koruny in the corresponding month last year. The surplus also shrank significantly from 30.4 billion koruny in March.
Exports climbed 5.7% year-over-year in April, and imports were 8.9% higher. The country imported more coke and refined petroleum products and computers and electronic and optical devices during April.
