The nation is expected to post a record high in export orders for last month on the back of rising demand for mobile devices — particularly smartphones — the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) said on Saturday.
The ministry said the value of export orders received last month could reach US$44 billion, which would surpass the previous high of US$43.31 billion recorded in September.
It would also be the ninth consecutive month in which the nation’s exports saw year-on-year growth.
The ministry is due to release the data for last month on Thursday.
In September, export orders rose 12.7 percent from the same period last year and climbed 13.4 percent from the previous month.
MULTINATIONAL BOOST
The growth was largely driven by the launch of mobile devices by multinational brands, but also by rising demand for notebooks.
Market analysts said in particular Apple Inc’s launch of two new iPhones in September served as a major catalyst to the uptick in business for Taiwanese suppliers.
The ministry said the positive effects of the launch were expected to have remained in place last month, and efforts by international buyers to build up inventories ahead of the Christmas shopping season could also help Taiwanese exporters.
Another potential source of growth, the ministry said, was the push by many countries to develop 4G telecom services.
4G UPGRADE
That could lead consumers to purchase 4G-compatible smartphones to replace old models, which would help Taiwanese smartphone suppliers and contractors, the ministry said.
Citing a survey, the ministry said that companies in the electronics, communications and precision instrument sectors said their export orders were up last month.
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