Among the sub-indices that comprise the PMI, the new orders index rose slightly and remained over the 50 threshold, state news wire MTI reported.

The production volume index was higher and continued to show expansion. The employment index also continued to show growth, but declined from January.

Delivery times were longer in February, while purchased inventories climbed for the sixth month in a row.

An index value above 50 shows expansion in the manufacturing sector, while a value under 50 signals contraction, MTI noted.