JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Increases in petroleum and chemical products helped push South Africa's manufacturing index up by 5.3 percent in August 2010, compared with August 2009, data released by Statistics South Africa indicated.

Business Day newspaper in Johannesburg said the increase was driven by a 15 percent increase in petroleum, chemical products, rubber and plastic products division, and a 12,8 percent climb in the electrical machinery division.

Wood and wood products, paper, publishing and printing division increased by 9.7 percent, followed by food and beverages division, increasing by 4.7 percent, Statistics South Africa said.

Further analysis showed that for the three months ended August 2010, manufacturing decreased by 0.2 percent compared with the previous three months ended May 2010.

Six of the 10 manufacturing divisions reported negative growth rates over this period, Statistics South Africa said.