Euro zone's new industrial orders enjoyed an increase of 2.7 percent in March compared with the previous month, estimated Eurostat, the statistical service of the European Union (EU), on Wednesday.

New Industrial orders fell by 0.6 percent in February and remained stable in January.

For the whole 27-member EU, new orders grew by 2.8 percent in March, after an increase of 0.1 percent in February and a decrease of 1.4 percent in January.

Excluding ships, railway and aerospace equipment, new industrial orders grew by 2.7 percent in the euro zone and by 2.5 percent in the whole EU in March.

In March 2007 compared with March 2006, new industrial orders increased by 8.0 percent in the euro zone and by 8.1 percent in the whole EU.

Total industry excluding ships, railway and aerospace equipment grew by 9.1 percent in the euro zone and by 9.6 percent in the whole EU.

In March 2007 compared with February 2007, new orders for textiles and textile products increased by 8.7 percent in the euro zone and by 6.3 percent in the whole EU.

Manufacturing of electrical and electronic equipment gained 8.3 percent and 5.0 percent respectively in the same period.

Machinery and equipment grew by 6.3 percent in the euro zone and by 4.3 percent in the whole EU. Transport equipment rose by 2.8 percent and 3.6 percent respectively. Basic metals and fabricated metal products increased by 1.2 percent in the euro zone and by 1.5 percent in the whole EU. Manufacturing of chemicals and chemical products rose by 0.6 percent and 0.8 percent respectively.

In March 2007 compared with March 2006, new orders for machinery and equipment grew by 16.4 percent in the euro zone and by 13.9 percent in the whole EU. Manufacturing of textiles and textile products increased by 13.6 percent and 11.8 percent respectively.

Basic metals and fabricated metal products gained 8.9 percent in the euro zone and 10.6 percent in the whole EU. Manufacturing of chemicals and chemical products rose by 6.7 percent and 6.6 percent respectively.

Electrical and electronic equipment grew by 6.4 percent in the euro zone and by 6.8 percent in the whole EU. Transport equipment increased by 5.8 percent and 7.5 percent respectively.