The industry sector currently remains the smallest, but fast growing sector of the economy. In 2004/05 the sector grew by 9.1%, and over the period 2002/03 to 2004/05, its growth averaged 8.0% per year. Accordingly, the share of industry in total output has increased from 19.3% in 2002/03 to 20.4% in 2004/05. Industry is one major sector that government policy is encouraging to speed up poverty reduction because prices of industrial products tend to be more stable compared to those of agricultural or un-processed primary products. The increase in the sector share is mainly resulting from increased output from the formal manufacturing sub-sectors, which have benefited a lot from the stable macro economy and peace in most parts of the country.
