The nation's information technology (IT) industry registered an output value of NT$146.7 billion (US$4.58 billion) in the first quarter of this year, expanding 45.9 percent against the same period last year, according to a report issued on Saturday by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI).
The report also showed substantial growth in wireless communication products, earning a market value of NT$103.8 billion -- a 61 percent increase compared to the first quarter figure last year.
The report was edited by ITRI's Industrial Economics and Know-ledge Center, which hired the Industry and Technology Intelligence Services to review the performance of Taiwan's IT industry. The center is sponsored by the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The nation's mobile phone manufacturers experienced a peak period in the first quarter, making 30.88 million cellphones, an ITRI official said -- a 118 percent increase from the same quarter last year.
The official noted that in the second quarter of this year, cellphone output may climb as high as 39.18 million, with a market value of NT$81.46 billion.
The official indicated that due to huge growth in the mobile phone industry -- which comprises 40 percent of the nation's total IT output value -- the institute expects continued strong growth in the IT industry in the second quarter.
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