EU INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION RISES 0.2%.

The industrial production trend for the eleven-nation Euro zone (Ireland, Spain, Luxembourg, Portugal, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, France, Austria and Belgium) rose by 0.6% between July and September, compared with the previous three months, according to figures released on December 10 by Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Communities. The trend for the entire EU rose by a more modest 0.2% over the same period. Previous growth - for the three months up to the end of August, compared with March-May - was a revised 0.7% for the Euro zone and 0.3% for the entire EU. The Euro zone is therefore still growing, albeit at a lower rate than before.

Between July and September, strong growth was recorded by Ireland (4.6%)...