Aug. Exports Hit Single Month Record for 2006

October 3, 2006

Taiwan export orders in August reached USD 26.32 billion, setting yet another record high for a single month, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

The increase in export orders was due mainly to global economic growth exceeding expectations, strong demand in the mainland Chinese market, and the traditional Q3 peak season for the electronics and IT industry, according to the MOEA.

The MOEA announced recent statistics on export orders, saying that the Aug. figure of USD 26.21 billion represented a USD 4.06 billion increase over the same period last year, or a 18.34% rise. The record high for a single-month set in Aug. broke the Mar. record, when export orders reached over USD 24.93 billion.

Export orders for the Jan. to Aug. period totaled USD 191.7 billion, increasing by 20.77%, or USD 32.98 billion.

Electronics composed the largest share of Aug. export orders, increasing by 22.87% year-on-year, or USD 1.18 billion. This strong showing was due mainly to robust performance from the semiconductor industry and high demand in the consumer electronics market.

IT and telecom products held the second largest share of Aug. exports, which increased by 10.16% year-on-year, or USD 430 million. This sector was strong due to strong sales in notebook computers, cell phones and an increase in OEM orders from global manufacturers.

A large number of international orders placed with China Shipbuilding Corp. boosted transportation equipment orders by 82.13% over the same period last year -- an increase of USD 430 million.

Hong Kong and Mainland China placed the most export orders, comprising USD 7.02 billion, a 28.57% year-on-year increase. The US ranked a close second, comprising USD 6.93 billion, a 15.94% year-on-year increase.

A survey of companies and manufacturers by the MOEA showed that 25.11% believed that their export earnings would increase over Aug.; 24.6% believed that earnings would decrease; and 50.29% believed that their earnings would remain the same.

The MOEA projects that export orders for Sept. will continue to grow.

(Central Daily News)

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