TAIPEI- Taiwan’s export orders likely rose in February for the 24th straight month, a Reuters poll showed on Friday, supported by sustained global demand for semiconductors and tech products.
The median forecast from a poll of 12 economists expects export orders to rise 12.75 percent from a year ago. Forecasts for growth ranged from 8 percent to as high as 19 percent.
The island’s export orders, a bellwether of global technology demand, rose 11.7 percent to $58.87 billion in January, though that was the slowest growth rate in 15 months.
Taiwan’s export orders are a leading indicator of demand for hi-tech gadgets and Asian exports, and typically lead actual exports by two to three months.
The island’s manufacturers, including the world’s largest contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd, are a key part of the global supply chain for technology giants including Apple Inc.
