BENGALURU, Oct 24 Reuters Growth in India39;s business activity picked up slightly in October after softening last month, led by stronger demand in the manufacturing sector, according to a survey that also showed job creation rose at the fastest pace since February 2006.

HSBC39;s flash India Composite Purchasing Managers39; Index, compiled by SP Global, rose to 58.6 this month from September39;s final reading of 58.3, which was a 10month low.

The headline index has been above the 50level separating growth from contraction for 39 consecutive months the longest expansionary streak since June 2013.

India39;s flash manufacturing PMI indicated that the manufacturing industry regained growth momentum in October. Several components accelerated after a modest slowdown over the past two to three months, noted Pranjul Bhandari, chief India economist at HSBC.

New orders and new export orders expanded at faster rates, providing a good omen for industrial production for the remaining months of 2024.

Backed by strong sales, the manufacturing index showed bigger gains to 57.4 from 56.5 in September, while the dominant services industry reading rose slightly to 57.9 this month from 57.7. Goods production growth was at a twomonth high.

That39;s encouraging news for India39;s manufacturing sector which accounts for less than onefifth of the economy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi39;s government has been trying to boost goods production.

A government official recently said since the…