Taiwan's machinery exports up 10.5% in Q1

Taipei, May 30, 2005 (CENS)--Taiwan's machinery exports amounted to US$3.037 billion in the first three months of this year, representing an increase of 10.5% from US$2.747 billion posted in the corresponding period of last year, according to customs-cleared statistics compiled by the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI).

Of major machinery products, machine tools ranked first with export value reaching US$580.03 million in the Jan.-March period, up 24% year-on-year. Pumps, compressors and fans ranked second with US$219.738 million, down 1% annually. The third place went to plastics and rubber machinery with US$215.915 million, up 3%. Special-purpose machinery stood at the fourth place with US$174.36 million, up 3%. The fifth place went to woodworking machinery with US$172.969 million, up 11%.

Other major export items, in descending order, were valves and parts (US$164.554 million, up 6%), molds and dies (US$138.598, up 7%), sewing machines (US$129.783 million, up 4%), textile machinery (US$125.141, down 2%), bearings, gears and ball screws (US$114.597 million, up 20%), paper making and printing machinery (US$52.28 million, up 25%), and leather and shoes making machines (US$27.588 million, down 7%).

In terms of major export outlets for Taiwan-made machinery, mainland China and Hong Kong together ranked first by absorbing US$1.017 billion worth of the products in the first three months, up 1% from a year earlier and accounting for 33.5% of the island's total machinery exports. The U.S. ranked second with US$554.56 million, up 12% and commanding 18.3%. Japan was the third largest outlet with US$178.73 million, up 19% and accounting for 5.9%.

Other major export outlets, in descending order, were Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey, Canada, Italy, India, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Spain, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, France, Finland, Saudi Arabia, and Russia.

The TAMI tallies also showed Taiwan imported US$4.926 billion worth of machinery from abroad in the first three months of this year, advancing 27% year-on-year.

Of major imported machines, special-purpose machinery ranked first with US$1.885 billion, up 44% annually and commanding 36.7% of the total imports. Machine tools stood at the second place with US$364.24 million, down 13% year-on-year and accounting for 7.4%. The third place went to engines and parts with US$288.57 million, up 77% and commanding 5.9%.

Other major import items, in descending order, were pumps, fans and compressors (US$272.386 million, up 29%); valves and parts (US$119.494 million, up 13%); textile machinery (US$79.168 million, up 15%); and plastics and rubber machinery (US$76.86 million, down 59%). TAMI said the imported machines were mainly used in such hi-tech industries as optoelectronics, communications, information technology, and semiconductors.

In respect of import sources, Japan ranked first by supplying US$2.887 billion worth of the products to Taiwan in the first three months of this year, up 37% annually and commanding 58.6% of the total imports. The U.S. ranked second with US$828.47 million, down 1% and accounting for 16.8%. The third place went to Germany with US$294.84 million, up 21% and accounting for 6%.

Other major import sources, in descending order, were mainland China and Hong Kong together, South Korea, Switzerland, United Kingdom, France, and Italy.

Taiwan machinery exports in Jan.-March, 2005 Unit: US$1,000
Rank	Products	Jan.-March, 2004	Jan.-March, 2005	Growth (%)
1	Machine Tools	468,150	580,034	24
2	Pumps, Compressors, Fans	222,874	219,738	-1
3	Plastics & Rubber Machinery	208,746	215,915	3
4	Special-purpose Machinery	170,014	174,368	3
5	Woodworking Machinery	156,245	172,969	11
6	Valves & Parts	154,700	164,554	6
7	Molds & Dies	129,626	138,598	7
8	Sewing Machines	125,307	129,783	4
9	Textile Machinery	128,265	125,141	-2
10	Bearings, Gears, Ball Screws	95,746	114,597	20
11	Paper Making, Printing Machinery	41,863	52,280	25
12	Leather & Shoes Making Machines	29,534	27,588	-7
	Others	816,621	921,501	13
	Total	2,747,691	3,037,066	11
Source: Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry