Eastern European production

Slovakia's State Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Slovakia in the first eight months of this year was 1.5% lower than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, overall manufacturing output in Slovakia in the January to August period was 11.9% higher year-on-year. Ukraine's State Statistics Committee reports that the production of leather and leather products in Ukraine in the first nine months of this year was 12.1% higher than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, industrial output in Ukraine in the January to September period was 5.5% higher year-on-year. The Czech Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in the Czech Republic in the first eight months of this year was 9% higher than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, industrial output in the Czech Republic in the January to August period was 11.3% higher year-on-year. Serbia's Statistical Office reports that the production of leather and leather products in Serbia in the first eight months of this year was 2.5% higher than in the same period in 2005. In comparison, the annual increase in industrial output in Serbia in the January to August period was 5.9%.