Myanmar's manufacturing activity expanded for the first time in six months in November, albeit marginally, survey figures from IHS Markit showed Thursday.
The Nikkei Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index, or PMI, climbed to a 6-month high of 50.2 in November from 49.0 in October.
Any reading above 50 indicates expansion, while a score below 50 suggests contraction in the sector.
Among components, output grew at the sharpest pace in this year so far. New business increased at a faster rate in November.
Consequently, firms raised their staffing levels in November, but the rate of job creation remained relatively slight.
"However, unfavorable exchange rates continued to stoke cost pressures, leading to one of the fastest increases in input costs for one year," Samuel Agass, Economist at IHS Markit, said.
"Subsequently, with output charges rising at a subdued pace, companies will have to contend with shrinking operating margins moving towards the end of the year."
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