The industrial production index rose 15.48 percent year-on-year to 115.38 last month, driven by steady growth in information technology and electronics production fueled by demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing products, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said yesterday.
The manufacturing production index, which comprises 94.63 percent of the industrial production index, last month increased 16.9 percent from September last year to 116.51, the ministry said.
The rise in the manufacturing production index was the 19th consecutive month of growth and in line with the ministry’s forecast of 114.58 to 118.58, Department of Statistics Deputy Director-General Chen Yu-fang (陳玉芳) told a news conference in Taipei.
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That lifted the third-quarter industrial and manufacturing production indices by 15.9 percent and 17.24 percent year-on-year respectively, the ministry said.
In the first nine months of this year, the industrial and manufacturing production indices rose 16.37 percent and 17.57 percent respectively from the same period last year, it said.
The manufacturing production index this month is expected to rise 13.6 to 17.6 percent year-on-year, supported by continued demand for advanced semiconductors and servers, Chen said.
While global trade protectionism and geopolitical uncertainties remain key risks, strong demand for emerging-technology applications and front-loading ahead of the year-end peak season are expected to boost the figure this quarter, she said, adding that the full-year manufacturing production index could hit a record.
The report showed that production of electronic components last month rose 24.39 percent, supported by new smartphone launches in the US, South Korea and China, while semiconductor output grew 26.53 percent as consumer electronics orders drove chip production and design, Chen said.
Production of computers, electronic goods and optical components last month grew 26.28 percent from September last year, while output of flat panels and related components rose 14.11 percent from a year earlier, ending two months of declines, she said.
Whether panel output would rebound this quarter depends on demand during China’s National Day holiday, and the year-end peak season in the US and European markets, she added.
The data also showed persistent weakness in traditional industries amid pressure from US tariffs and oversupply from China, the ministry said.
Base metal production, mainly steel, last month fell 2.63 percent from a year earlier, as the sector continued to face price competition from China, while the output of chemical materials and fertilizers rose 0.44 percent, ending six months of declines, driven by growing demand from semiconductor clients for polished wafers, Chen said.
Vehicle output last month fell 7.82 percent from the same month last year as demand for auto components, particularly in the US and European markets, remained weak, but machinery equipment production grew 10.71 percent as plant expansions by chipmakers boosted demand for related equipment, she said, adding that machine tool output also rebounded slightly.
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