Macedonia leather production

Macedonia's State Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Macedonia in the first eight months of this year was 18.3% lower than in the same period in 2004. In comparison, manufacturing industry output in Macedonia in the January to August period was 9.4% higher year-on-year. Macedonia was also reported to have imported bovine leather worth US$12.3 million in the first eight months of this year. The number of employees in Macedonia's leather and leather industry in the first eight months of this year was 1.1% higher than in the same period in 2004. In comparison, the number of employees in Macedonia's manufacturing industry in the January to August period was 4.4% lower year-on-year.