HANOI, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's national index of industrial production in the first month of this year declined 9.2 percent compared to the previous month, local media cited the country's General Statistics Office as saying on Saturday.

Compared to the same period last year, the index expanded by 0.6 percent.

The processing and manufacturing sector increased by 1.6 percent year on year.

Meanwhile, the electricity production and distribution sector grew by 0.4 percent, and the water supply and waste management sector jumped by 9.2 percent, said the office.

The mineral exploitation reported a 10.4 percent year-on-year decline.

A number of key industries gained significant year-on-year growth during the cited period, including automobiles (60.7 percent) and television (50.1 percent), according to the office.