Czech Output Increases By 17.4%

Sales in the Czech glass industry fell by 6% year-on-year to CZK 42.6BN in 2004, but output added 17.4% to a record high of 1.66m tonnes. The increase in output was due to different methods of calculating production data rather than a significant growth in production capacities, according to the Association of the Glass & Ceramics Industry. Sales of costume jewellery semi-products, chandeliers, lamps and glass components fell by 15%, however, sales of packaging and sheet glass increased by 6-8%, a trend which is expected to continue. Glass exports rose by 12% in 2004 to CZK 41.5BN while glass imports also grew by nearly 20% to CZK 15.7BN. (whole item)