The domestic plastics industry will enjoy a period of rapid growth over the next few years -- with its annual output increasing to NT$350 billion (US$10.1 billion) by 2006, up nearly 30 percent over that of 2001 -- officials of the Industrial Development Bureau under the Ministry of Economic Affairs reported yesterday.
At the same time, the officials said, the plastics industry is expected to export a total of around US$3 billion worth of goods in 2006, an increase of 15 percent over the US$2.6 billion registered in 2001.
Facing increased international competition along with globalization, the officials noted, the government has been actively assisting the industry to conduct enterprise transformation, research and development and upgrading of their technological levels.
In addition, the government of Taiwan has also helped the plastics industry to integrate itself with the information-technology industry, the biological and medical sectors, and the transportation and packing industries in order to further expand the industry's market.
There are now some 8,800 enterprises dedicating to production of plastic products in Taiwan, accounting for 9.2 percent of the total number of manufacturers and with a total output of NT$270.9 billion in 2001.
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