Taipei, Nov. 20 (CNA) Taiwan's export orders rose year-on-year for the 15th consecutive month in October on the back of solid global demand at a time when the world economy continues to recover, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) said Monday.
In October, Taiwan's export orders grew 9.2 percent from a year earlier to US$46.6 billion, topping the year-on-year increase of 6.9 percent in September, data compiled by the MOEA showed.
In the first 10 months of this year, Taiwan's export orders totaled US$395.64 billion, up 10.0 percent from a year earlier, the data indicated.
October export orders hit a new monthly high for the country, up 1.5 percent from a month earlier, the data indicated. After seasonal adjustments, the October figure was also up 1.5 percent from September, according to the data.
The MOEA said orders received by local information and communications device suppliers totaled US$15.87 billion in October, the highest ever monthly level for the segment, up 9.8 percent from a year earlier as international brands launch new handheld and wearable models to attract customers.
Last month, export orders for Taiwan's electronic component gadgets also hit a new monthly high of US$11.97 billion, up 4.5 percent from a year earlier, as demand for high-end semiconductors, including memory chips and integrated circuit packaging and testing services rose, the MOEA said.
According to the MOEA, export orders for optoelectronic devices rose 2.8 percent from a year earlier to US$2.18 billion in October, reflecting rising demand for flat panels used in smartphones, though a fall in large-sized screen shipments meant growth in the segment lagged behind other industries.
In October, export orders in Taiwan-made base metal and machinery rose 13.1 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively, from a year earlier reaching US$2.38 billion and US$1.83 billion, while export orders for plastics/rubber products and chemical items also grew 14.0 percent and 17.0 percent, respectively, to US$1.92 billion and US$1.76 billion, the MOEA said.
The MOEA said export orders placed by U.S. buyers hit a new high of US$13.79 billion in October, up 6.5 percent from a year earlier, while export orders placed by China and Hong Kong also reached a record high of US$10.83 billion, up 13.2 percent from a year earlier.
The ministry said European buyers placed US$10.8 billion in orders for Taiwanese goods in October, also a record high, up 13.8 percent from a year earlier, while export orders placed by Japanese buyers gained 22.9 percent year-on-year to reach US$2.76 billion.
However, export orders placed by buyers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations fell 13.7 percent from a year earlier to US$4.07 billion, the ministry added.
Lin Li-chen (林麗貞), director of the MOEA's Department of Statistics, told the press that strong global demand for high tech devices could continue to push up Taiwan's export orders to new record highs in November and December.
Lin said export orders for November are expected to range from US$47-48 billion, up 7.7-10 percent from a year earlier.
(By Liao Yu-yang and Frances Huang)
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