Brussels, 27/04/2006 (Agence Europe) - In the euro zone, industry order book entries rose by 2.7% in February 2006 compared to January, and by 13.3% compared to January 2005. In the EU of 25, they increased by 0.5% between February and January 2006 and by 10.4% taken annually. Compared to February 2005, order book entries for transport equipment rose by 20.4% in the euro zone and by 8.1% in the EU of 25. The production of electrical and electronic equipment saw increases of 19.3% and 17.2% respectively, metal and metalwork by 14% in the euro zone and 13.1% in the EU of 25. The production of machines and equipment increased by 9.8% and 11.1% respectively. The chemicals industry grew by 6.9% in the euro zone and by 5.2% in the EU of 25. The textiles and clothing industry had 0.5% more orders in the euro zone, but 0.3% fewer in the EU of 25. Taken by country, order book entries for industry increased in seven Member States and dropped in nine. The greatest increases were recorded in Latvia (+ 24.1%), Slovakia (+ 8.4%), Italy (+ 6.6%) and Portugal (+ 4.9%). The greatest reductions were seen in Poland (-35.5%), Malta (-15.3%), Estonia (-7.9% and Denmark (-7.2%).