Statistical briefs from Eastern Europe

Macedonia's State Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Macedonia in the first two months of this year was 20.8% lower than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, the annual fall in industrial output in Macedonia in the first two months of this year was 0.3%. Serbia's Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Serbia in the first two months of this year was 7.5% higher than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, industrial output in Serbia in the first two months of this year was 5.3% higher year-on-year. Slovenia's Statistics Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Slovenia in January was 14.8% higher than in December and 1% higher than in January 2005. In comparison, the monthly and annual increases in industrial output in Slovenia in January were 2.2% and 6.6% respectively. Russia's State Statistics Committee reports that 260 million square decimetres of chrome-tanned leather products were produced in Russia in the first two months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 13.6%, according to the Interfax news agency.