<h1>Industrial Sector Shows Mixed Performance: Mining Down, Manufacturing Up, Capital Goods Struggle; Growth Expected at 3% for Year.</h1> The index of industrial production (IIP) indicates a mixed performance in the country's industrial sector. Mining production contracted over six quarters due to declines in natural gas and crude petroleum output. Manufacturing showed improvement with a 9.8% growth in October 2012. However, the capital goods sector experienced sustained negative growth, and consumer durables fluctuated, peaking at 16.9% growth. The sluggish industrial growth is attributed to reduced investment, corporate margin squeezes, and global economic fragility. Gross Capital Formation (GCF) in industry recorded negative growth during 2008-09 and 2011-12. Infrastructure constraints and weak export demand also impacted performance, with industrial output growth expected to be around 3% for the year.