In January, the regional production of industry had a scenario of positive results in 12 among 14 surveyed areas, in comparison with the same month of 2005. The rates in Pará (10.7%), Espírito Santo (10.1%), Ceará (9.9%), Bahia (6.6%), Rio de Janeiro (5.8%), Amazonas (5.6%), Minas Gerais (5.2%) and Pernambuco (4.3%) were above the national average (3.2%). The other localities with increase were: Santa Catarina (2.1%), Northeast Region (1.9%), São Paulo (1.7%) and Goiás (1.2%). Only the industries of Rio Grande do Sul (-2.0%) and of Paraná (-5.3%) decreased.

The result of January (3.2%) for the total of the national industry showed a more accelerated rhythm in relation to the index of the fourth quarter of 2005 (1.3%). This trend could be observed in 13 among 14 investigated localities, standing out 3: Ceará, where the index changed from –7.9% in the period October-December to 9.9% in January; Espírito Santo (from 0.6% to 10.1%) and Pará (from 3.9% to 10.7%). São Paulo, the industrial park with the major participation in the overall industry had a slight acceleration in the productive rhythm between the two periods of comparison (from 1.5% to 1.7%), while Pernambuco was the only locality with loss of dynamism (from 6.1% to 4.3%).

Amazonas

The industrial production of Amazonas indicated growth of 5.6% in January 2006, in the comparison with the same month of the previous year, after falling for two consecutive months in this type of comparison. The indicator accumulated in the last twelve months maintained the two-digit rate of expansion, changing from 12.1% in December to 11.9% in January.

The growth of 5.6% in the industrial production of the state in January reflected, mainly, the increase observed in the major part (seven) among 11 surveyed activities. The major positive impact came from electronic material and communication equipment (13.3%). Also contributed positively to the overall index, although to a lower extent, the sectors: other transportation equipment (22.5%) and medical products, appliances and equipment (61.9%). On the other hand, the major negative contribution came from food products and beverages (-23.4%).

Pará

The industry of Pará began 2006 indicating positive rates: 10.7% in the comparison with January of the previous year and 3.8% in the indicator accumulated in the last twelve months.

The expansion of 10.7% observed for the total of industry in January was due, to a great extent, to the good performance of mining and quarrying (28.7%). Regarding manufacturing, which fell by 2.5%, three groups brought a negative pressure: basic metallurgy (-2.3%), food products and beverages (-6.3%) and wood (-4.8%). On the other hand, the main positive contributions came from non-metallic minerals (2.9%) and cellulose and paper (1.7%).

Northeast

In January, the industrial production of the Northeast Region had positive results: 1.9% in relation to January 2005, a rate above the one observed in the fourth quarter of the previous year (0.6%), and 1.6% in the indicator accumulated in the last twelve months.

For the third consecutive month, there was growth in the monthly indicator of the industry of the state, with the production increasing in seven among 11 surveyed activities. The main positive contribution to the formation of the rate of 1.9% came from cellulose and paper (26.,0%). Also stood out the results of basic metallurgy (12.8%) and petroleum refining and alcohol production (4.0%). On the other hand, food products and beverages (-2.6%) and apparel (-23.3%) were the groups that brought the most significant negative results.

Ceará

The industrial production of Ceará, in January, registered expansion of 9.9% in comparison to the same month of the previous year, while the indicator accumulated in the last twelve months fell by 1.5%.

Interrupting a series of six negative results, the industry of Ceará indicated growth of 9.9% in the monthly indicator of January, with positive rates in seven among 10 surveyed industrial sectors. The main positive impact came from chemical products (62.4%). The performance of the sectors of petroleum refining and alcohol production (38.2%), footwear and leather articles (14.7%) and textiles (9.5%) can also be mentioned. On the other hand, the major negative contributions came from non-metallic minerals (-26.2%) and apparel (-15.1%).

Pernambuco

The industry of Pernambuco, in January, increased by 4.3% in the monthly indicator and 2.7% in the indicator accumulated in the last twelve months.

The monthly indicator showed expansion for the third consecutive month. To the formation of the rate of 4.3%, contributed positively five among eleven surveyed industrial sectors, with food products and beverages (8.4%) in the leadership. Another highlight was the good performance of basic metallurgy (25.0%) and non-metallic minerals (19.1%). On the other hand, the main negative influences came from chemical products (-11.2%), metal products (-17.9%) and petroleum refining and alcohol production (-24.0%).

Bahia

In January, the industrial activity of Bahia increased by 6.6% in relation to the same month of the previous year and by 4.1% in the indicator accumulated in the last twelve months.

For the seventh consecutive month, there was expansion in the monthly indicator. Five among nine surveyed activities, especially petroleum refining and alcohol production (17.1%), contributed positively to the result. To a lower extent, but also relevant were the favorable performances of cellulose and paper (28.9%) and basic metallurgy (10.4%). On the other hand, the major decreases came from food products and beverages (-6.7%) and automotive vehicles (-6.2%).

Minas Gerais

In January 2006, the industrial production of Minas Gerais increased by 5.2% in relation to the same month of the previous year, reaching 30 consecutive positive results in this type of comparison. The indicator accumulated in the last twelve months also increased (6.1%). It should be pointed out that both results are superior to the ones observed in the average of the country: 3.2% and 2.9%, respectively.

The increase of 5.2% in the monthly indicator of the state was supported, mainly, by, the expansion in mining and quarrying (10.3%), which stood out with the major contribution to this index. Manufacturing (4.4%) also increased, mainly due to the positive results observed in 10 among 13 surveyed groups. The main positive contributions came from food products (7.6%), non-metallic minerals (14.3%) and automotive vehicles (5.9%). On the other hand, the only negative impacts came from the sectors basic metallurgy (-1.3%) and metal products (-5.3%).

Espírito Santo

In January, the industrial production of Espírito Santo had positive results: 10.1% in the comparison with the same month of the previous year and 1.7% in the indicator accumulated in the last twelve months.

In relation to January of the previous year, the industry of the state recorded increase of 10.1%, the highest result since May 2003 (18.1%), with only two among five surveyed sectors showing growth. This performance occurred, mainly, due to the favorable performance of basic metallurgy (48.7%). On the other hand, among the three activities that fell, mining and quarrying (-6.0%) and cellulose and paper (-2.9%) brought the major impacts.

Rio de Janeiro

In January 2006, the industrial sector of Rio de Janeiro increased by 5.8% compared to the same month of the previous year, a rhythm above the rate observed in the last quarter of the previous year (3.4%). In the indicator accumulated in the last twelve months, the industry of the state continued to record growth (2.1%).

In the increase of 5.8%, the sixth consecutive positive result observed in the comparison with the same month of the previous year, seven among 13 surveyed activities had positive rates. The favorable performance of mining and quarrying, with expansion of 18.1%, brought the main positive impact on the overall average. It should also be mentioned that this activity has maintained positive two-digit indexes since April 2005. Manufacturing also had increase in the production (3.0%), with basic metallurgy (16.8%), automotive vehicles (29.1%) and food products (12.8%) answering for the major positive contributions. Among the six groups with negative rates, stood out pharmaceuticals (-23.7%) and other chemical products (-11.5%).

São Paulo

The industrial production of São Paulo, in January, grew 1.7% in the comparison with the same month of the previous year, a result considerably below the total of the country (3.2%). However, the increase observed in the indicator accumulated in the last twelve months (3.2%) was above the national average (2.9%).

The industry of the state began the year of 2006 (1.7%) in ascending rhythm above the one of the previous quarter of 2005 (1.5%). To the increase of 1.7% in the monthly indicator, contributed positively 12 among of 20 surveyed segments with electronic material and communication equipment (32.4%), automotive vehicles (7.6%) and electric machines, equipment and material (13.5%) bringing the main positive impacts. On the other hand, the reductions observed in the sectors of edition and printing (-13.3%), basic metallurgy (-9.3%) and pharmaceuticals (-5.5%) impeded a more expressive overall result for the total of industry.

Paraná

The industrial production of Paraná fell by 5.3% in January 2006 compared to the same month of the previous year, being this the seventh consecutive negative result in this type of comparison. The indicator accumulated in the last twelve months showed deceleration, changing from 1.3% in December to 0.1% in January.

The fall of 5.3% in the monthly indicator of the industry of the state reflected, mainly, the diminishment in the production in seven among 14 surveyed sectors. The main negative contribution for the overall average was automotive vehicles (-33.7%). To a lower extent, although also influencing negatively the overall index were the sectors of edition and printing (-20.6%) and wood (-9,7%). On the other hand, the main positive impacts were cellulose and paper (15.9%) and machines and equipment (8.5%).

Santa Catarina

The industrial sector of Santa Catarina, in January 2006, had once again a positive result (2.1%) in the comparison with same month of the previous year. The indicator accumulated in the last twelve months (-0.6%) maintained a descending trend and registered the lowest result since June 2004 in this type of comparison.

The overall expansion of 2.1%, observed in the comparison January 06/ January 05, showed an opposite trend to the one observed in the last quarter of the previous year (-3.7%). This favorable performance was a consequence of the expansion in six among 11 surveyed activities. The main positive contributions to the overall average were registered by machines and equipment (13.4%), automotive vehicles (23.9%) and rubber and plastic (22.2%). Among the activities that fell, the main negative influences were observed in food products (-5.3%) and wood (-20.1%).

Rio Grande do Sul

The industry of Rio Grande do Sul had, in January, fall of 2.0% in the comparison with the same month of the previous year, the fifth consecutive negative rate. It can be pointed out that the industry of the state began the year of 2006 showing reduction in the rhythm of fall in relation to the last quarter of 2005 (-3.9%). The indicator accumulated in the last twelve months, while falling by 3.6%, repeated the result registered in December.

Considering the monthly indicator, the decrease of 2.0% in the production of the state was a consequence, especially, of the negative performance in five among fourteen surveyed activities. The main negative impacts were observed in machines and equipment (-19.8%), petroleum refining and alcohol production (-18.5%) and footwear and leather articles (-5.1%). On the other hand, the major positive contribution in the overall result was observed in food products (7.3%).

Goiás

The industry of Goiás, in January 2006, had positive results: 1.2% in the comparison with same month of the previous year and 3.2% in the accumulated indicator in the last twelve months. It can be pointed out that the result of January (1.2%) inverted the result observed in the index of the last quarter of 2005 (-1.5%).

In relation to January of the previous year (1.2%), there was increase in four among five sectors, especially food products and beverages (5.4%) and chemical products (19.0%). On the other hand, the only activity that fell was mining and quarrying (-74.2%).