Eight core industries’ output contracts 1.3% in Dec 2020

The output of eight core infrastructure sectors contracted for the third month in a row by 1.3% in December 2020, dragged down by poor show by crude oil, natural gas, refinery products, fertiliser, steel and cement sectors.

The core sectors had expanded by 3.1% in December 2019, according to the provisional data released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Friday.

Barring coal and electricity, all sectors recorded negative growth in December 2020.