MADRID – The service sector is showing signs of growth with a rise in employment and turnover, according to figures released Tuesday.

According to a report released by the National Institute of Statistics, there was increase in employment of 2.9 percent in January compared to the same period last year.

At the same time, turnover in the same sector rose by 4.4 percent.

The figures show that all sectors contributed to this growth, although the greatest volume was reported in information technology and communications, where turnover rose by 5.3 percent.

Other sectors where growth was detected were trade (4.5 percent), tourism (3.8 percent) and transport (3.7 percent).

Employment in the services sector went up by 2.9 percent in January, including a 3.5 percent rise in the transport sector, 3 percent in trade and 0.1 percent in tourism.

But the number of jobs in information technology and communications fell slightly by 0.1 percent.

Compared to the December 2003 figures, turnover in the services sectors decreased by 16.7 percent and employment fell by 1 percent, most notably due to a 1.9 percent decrease in tourism.

[Copyright EFE with Expatica]

Subject: Spanish news