Taiwan's export orders grew at their slowest pace in almost a year last month and growth will probably ease further in the first half as the US-led war with Iraq hampers trade and investment, the government said.
Export orders, indicative of shipments in one to three months time, rose 9.9 percent from a year earlier to US$11.2 billion after a 15 percent gain in January, the government said in a statement. That was the slowest growth since March last year. Factory production rose 10.1 percent, beating January's 8.5 percent gain.
"Factory production growth may reach as much as 8 percent in the first quarter and for export orders growth may be almost double-digit," said Chang Yaw-tzong (
For the first two months of this year, export orders rose 12.6 percent to US$24.2 billion, while production increased 9.2 percent.
The government is counting on rising exports to meet its 3.68 percent economic growth projection for this year.
Demand from China for Taiwan's electronic components, processed steel products and other goods helped Taiwan's exports rise 22 percent to US$9.8 billion in February, a government report said.
Taiwan companies' export orders from Hong Kong rose 29 percent to US$2.4 billion in February from a year earlier, today's report showed. Most shipments to China from Taiwan go through Hong Kong because of transport restrictions with China.
Orders from the US were unchanged at US$3.2 billion last month. Orders from Europe rose 8.3 percent to US$1.8 billion and those from Japan rose 2.4 percent to US$1.1 billion.
Orders for electronic goods rose 6.1 percent and orders for telecommunications equipment rose 14 percent.
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