Taiwan's Machinery Exports Up 3.7% to US$2.538 B. in First 2 Months of 2008

Taipei, May 6, 2008 (CENS)--Taiwan exported US$2.538 billion wroth of machinery in the first two months of this year, representing a year-on-year growth of 3.7%, according to customs statistics compiled by the Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI).

In terms of specific export items, machine tools ranked first with export value reaching US$534.9 million in the first two months of this year, up 16.3% year-on-year. The special-purpose machinery came second with US$152.2 million, up 11.3%. Plastics and rubber processing machinery ranked third with US$147.29 million, up 4.8%, followed by valves and parts with US$129.73 million, down 10%; the category of pumps, compressors and fans with US$127.22 million, up 2.2%; the category of bearings, gears and ball screws with US$98.14 million, up 17.2%; and woodworking machinery with US$94.16 million, up 10%.

Other major export items, in descending order, were textile machinery (US$79.84 million, down 17.7%), molds and dies (US$78.2 million, down 0.3%), sewing machinery (US$58.18 million, down 25.6%), paper making and printing machinery (US$41.67 million, up 20.1%), and leather and shoe making machinery (US$12.79 million, up 40.8%).

In respect of export outlets, mainland China and Hong Kong ranked first by absorbing US$690.03 million worth of Taiwan-made machinery in the first two months of this year, down 5.9% year-on-year and accounting for 27.2% of the total exports. The U.S. came second with US$388.13 million, down 8.7% and commanding 15.3%. Japan ranked third with US$150.81 million, up 0.4% and accounting for 5.9%. Germany took fourth place with US$100.82 million, up 30.8%. The fifth place went to Vietnam with US$92.92 million, up an amazing 60%. Thailand stood at the sixth place with US$73.54 million, down 6.3%.

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

The TAMI's tallies also showed that Taiwan imported US$3.017 billion worth of machinery in the first two months of this year, up 24.8% year-on-year.

In terms of major import items, special-purpose machinery ranked first with import value amounting to US$1.03 billion in the first two months of this year, up 64% year-on-year and accounting for 34.2% of the total import value. Machine tools ranked second with US$317.88 million, down 5.9% and accounting for 10.5%. The third place went to the category of pumps, compressors and fans with US$162.06 million, up 18.8% and commanding 5.4%; followed by engines and parts with US$140 million, up 37.3% and accounting for 4.6%; valves and parts with US$86.94 million, down 5% and accounting for 2.9%; textile machinery with US$47.36 million, up 1.7% and accounting for 1.6%; and plastics and rubber processing machinery with US$39.5 million, down 12.8% and commanding 1.3%.

C.C. Wang, vice president of the TAMI, said these imported machines were mainly employed by such high-high industries as optoelectronics, communications, information technology and semiconductor.

Wang noted Japan was the island's largest import source of machinery by selling US$1.337 billion worth of machinery to Taiwan in the first two months of this year, up 38.7% year-on-year and accounting for 44.3% of the total imports. The U.S. came second with US$696.93 million, up 10.8% and commanding 23.1%. China and Hong Kong together ranked third with US$237.62 million, up 13.9% and commanding 7.9%. The fourth place went to Germany with US$234.37 million, up 35.6%.

Other major import sources, in descending order, were South Korea, Italy, United Kingdom, Switzerland, and France.

Wang predicted Taiwan's machinery industry would grow at the annual pace of between 8% and 10% in 2008. Overall production of domestically made machinery would be able to reach NT$96 million, up 8% from the year earlier. Domestic demand for machinery will grow between 25% and 30% this year.

Exports of Taiwan-made Machinery in Jan.-Feb. 2008 by Product Category Unit: US$1,000
Rank	Product Category	Jan.-Feb. 2007	Jan.-Feb. 2008	Annual Change (%)
1	Machine Tools	459,874	534,902	16.3
2	Special-purpose Machinery	136,762	152,209	11.3
3	Plastics & Rubber Machinery	140,612	147,293	4.8
4	Valves and Parts	144,186	129,738	-10
5	Pumps, compressors, Fans	124,466	127,220	2.2
6	Bearings, Gears, Ball Screws	83,766	98,147	17.2
7	Woodworking Machinery	94,859	96,843	2.1
8	Parts & Components	85,586	94,169	10
9	Textile Machinery	97,072	79,843	-17.7
10	Molds & Dies	78,464	78,202	-0.3
11	Sewing Machines	78,202	58,180	-25.6
12	Paper Making, Printing Machinery	34,705	41,676	20.1
13	Leather & Shoes Making Machines	9,089	12,799	40.8
	Others	880,730	887,426	0.8
	Total	2,448,373	2,538,647	3.7
Source: Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry

Imports of Machinery by Taiwan in Jan.-Feb. 2008 by Product Category Unit: US$1,000
Rank	Product Category	Jan.-Feb. 2007	Jan.-Feb. 2008	Annual Change (%)
1	Special-purpose Machinery	628,615	1,030,730	64
2	Machine Tools	337,842	317,885	-5.9
3	Pumps, Compressors, Fans	136,415	162,069	18.8
4	Engines & Parts	101,970	140,004	37.3
5	Valves & Parts	91,554	86,949	-5
6	Textile Machinery	46,558	47,365	1.7
7	Plastics & Rubber Machinery	45,311	39,508	-12.8
	Others	1,029,553	1,192,994	15.9
	Total	2,417,818	3,017,504	24.8
Source: Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry