Industrial output inthe country surged a better-than-expected 16.2 percent in May compared with last year despite Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars), the statistics department said today.

Production rose 9.9 percent in the first five months of 2003 compared with January-May in 2002.

"The increase in the industrial production index for the current month (May) was due to the positive growth in the indices of all sectors," it said in a statement.