The nation’s business climate indicators flashed the “green” signal again last month, indicating that the domestic economy remained broadly stable, the National Development Council (NDC) said yesterday.
The indicators gained one point to 24 last month on the back of better imports of machinery and electric equipment, as well as sales of food and trade services, the council said in a monthly report.
“Strong consumer confidence accounted for the increase in local share prices and commercial sales, while positive business outlook explained the pickup in capital equipment imports,” National Development Council researcher Wu Ming-hui (吳明蕙) told a press conference.
The leading index, which aims to foretell the economic prospects of the months ahead, stood at 99.6, down 0.1 percent from one month earlier and extending a decline for 12 months running, the council said.
However, the council said there is no need to worry about the index weakening 1 percent for the past 12 months.
The indices on employment, semiconductor book-to-bill ratio, TAIEX and money supply all showed positive cyclical movements, the council said.
The coincident index, which reflects the incumbent economic condition, stood at 100.62 last month, down by 0.22 percent from one month earlier, the council said.
The US, European and Japanese economies are expected to perform better this year than last year, which would benefit Taiwanese exporters and in turn lend support to consumer spending in the nation, Wu said.
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