Taiwan’s export orders in 2010 advanced 26.41 percent to reach an all-time high of US$406.72 billion thanks to increased global demand brought about by sustained economic recovery, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said Jan. 20.
“Strong sales of laptop computers, smartphones and tablet computers supplied by local manufacturers are responsible for the country’s strong showing,” said Huang Ji-shih, director-general of the MOEA’s Department of Statistics.
Orders for information and communication technology products and electronics both hit their highest levels in history, totaling US$100.59 billion and US$99.35 billion, respectively, Huang said.
According to the MOEA, these two categories were Taiwan’s top two export items, accounting for nearly half of all business received for the year.
Another noteworthy improvement, Huang said, was the significant growth in orders for machinery, surging 53.77 percent year on year to hit US$16.12 billion.
“This encouraging result is credited to rising demand in emerging markets and orders transferred to domestic suppliers following the strong appreciation of the Japanese yen,” he said.
In terms of geographic location, mainland China (including Hong Kong) continued to make up the largest share of the export order pie at 26.8 percent, followed by the U.S. at 21.3 percent and Europe at 17.6 percent.
MOEA statistics show that last year orders peaked in the fourth quarter, rather than in the traditionally strongest third quarter, due to rising demand before the Lunar New Year. Huang believes this trend may indicate that demand in mainland China is gradually playing a more significant role in Taiwan’s export sales.
Looking ahead, Huang is optimistic about orders to be received this month based on strong demand for ICT devices resulting from the recent launch of Intel Corp.’s new microchips and heating sales of Apple products.
Orders in January could top December’s record high, he noted. According to the MOEA, Taiwan’s export orders in December grew 15.27 percent from a year earlier to US$36.57 billion, the largest amount received in single-month history. (THN)
Write to Audrey Wang at audrey@mail.gio.gov.tw