TAIPEI- Taiwan’s exports likely rose for the 19th straight month in January, a Reuters poll showed, boosted by sustained demand for chips and hi-tech gadgets though at a slightly slower pace following the end of the Christmas shopping season.
Taiwan, a global hub for chip production and a key supplier to Apple Inc, is one of Asia’s major exporters of technology goods, and the trade data is seen as an important gauge of world demand for tech gadgets.
Exports last month were expected to rise 17.2 percent from a year earlier, a Reuters poll of 18 analysts showed, slower than the 23.4 percent gain in December.
The export forecasts ranged between a rise of 9 percent and 26 percent, reflecting uncertainties over the global economic recovery and ongoing supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Taiwan’s exports rose for an 18th straight month in December, though at a slightly lower rate than forecasts, boosted by continued strong tech demand and amid a global shortage of computer chips.
Exports in December were the second highest monthly figure on record, rising 23.4 percent from a year earlier to $40.72 billion, the Ministry of Finance said on Friday. – Reuters
