Taiwan manufacturing output rises 3.59 percent

2015-03-02

Taiwan’s manufacturing output gained 3.59 percent to NT$14.43 trillion (US$457.63 billion) last year, spurred by steadily recovering conditions at home and abroad, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs Feb. 26.

Among the country’s four major industries, electronics and information technology was the growth leader, gaining 7.14 percent to a best ever NT$4.54 trillion. Metals and electrical industry picked up 6.5 percent to NT$4.14 trillion, followed by livelihood industry with an increase of 3.01 percent. Chemicals was the sole low point, declining 2.21 percent.

In terms of individual performances by key subsectors, electronic components reported record output of NT$3.75 trillion, up 8.05 percent on the back of a 23.94 percent jump in semiconductor production.

Automobiles and components, as well as machinery, notched up second highest numbers, climbing 12.8 percent to NT$4.22 trillion and 10.72 percent to NT$6.65 trillion, respectively.

For the fourth quarter of 2014, output of electronic components set a new benchmark, gaining 14.65 percent amid robust demand for mobile devices and continuous introduction of the latest smart technologies. These laid the foundations for a surge of 43.2 percent in local semiconductor output.

The machinery sector performed equally well, gaining 14.87 percent to reach a record level, while automobiles and parts, basic metals, and computers and electronics, rose between 5.99 percent and 7.47 percent.

But chemical materials declined for the second quarter in a row, dropping 11.03 percent year on year as global oil prices remained weak.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=227760&CtNode=413)