Industrial production last month expanded 13.42 percent from the same period last year, propelled by strong demand for electronic components used in artificial intelligence (AI), high-performance computing and Web-based data centers, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said yesterday.
The index, which came in at 103.27, rose for a sixth consecutive month, Department of Statistics Deputy Director-General Huang Wei-jie (黃偉傑) said, attributing the increase to restocking demand for new technology product launches and aggressive spending by US technology giants to develop AI applications.
The momentum is sustainable, but would slightly slow down this month, as some non-tech firms struggle on and others opt for maintenance inspections, the official said, citing the ministry’s monthly survey.
Photo: CNA
The industrial output of the electronics sector surged 22.24 percent to a new record, as high-performance computing and AI applications gained popularity, bolstering demand for semiconductors, motherboards, chip testing and packaging, and printed circuit boards, the ministry said.
The uptick came even though sales of large flat panels faltered, in line with slowing demand for TV sets, it said.
The industrial production of computer and optical products spiked 42.56 percent to a new peak on the back of robust sales of high-end servers and AI-related products.
The launch of new-generation smartphones, laptops, wearables and peripheral products by major technology brands served as further catalysts, it said.
Non-tech products floundered, with the output of base metal products shrinking 4.4 percent from a year earlier, chemical products dipping 4.51 percent and auto parts slumping 12.87 percent, the ministry said.
The poor performance stemmed from slack end-market demand and capacity adjustments induced by a global economic slowdown, in addition to a low comparison base last year, it said.
The US, Europe and China all showed signs of economic weakness, boding ill for Taiwan’s export-reliant economy.
Auto parts used in gasoline-powered vehicles have taken a further blow from electric vehicles, as environmental awareness increases, the ministry said.
Industrial production for the first eight months of the year gained 10.98 percent from the same period last year, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, a survey of manufacturers showed that a majority, or 73.5 percent, expect business to remain stable this month, 9.2 percent expect a pickup and 17.3 percent project a decline.
In terms of production value, 87.1 percent expect steady output, 5 percent forecast an upturn and 7.9 percent predict a retreat, the survey showed.
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