Taiwan’s Exports to Singapore Surpass Japan in First 4 Months

Taipei, June 4, 2012 (CENS)--Taiwan’s exports to Singapore reached US$6.197 billion in the first four months, surpassing US$5.576 billon of exports to Japan and Singapore to become Taiwan’s third largest export outlet, according to the statistics released by the Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT).

In the same period, Taiwan’s exports showed negative growth, yet those to the six ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) members rose 6.8% to take expanding share of 18.3% in Taiwan’s total exports. Among the six members, Singapore saw a 22.8% import growth from Taiwan.

The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the government-backed trade promoter, lately held about 286 one-on-one trade talks for 221 domestic manufacturers and over 40 buyers from Southeast Asia, mainly Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia.

Among the buyers, seven boasted of annual revenues exceeding US$100 million, including SMART of Thailand focusing on the purchase of telecom facilities, optical fiber, and cables; P.T. Dharma Polimetal of Indonesia of hardware products and building materials; and a food company of Malaysia of cereals and beverages.

TAITRA will lead in the second half of June a group of 68 domestic manufacturers to the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam to further explore the markets there.

Taiwan’s Exports to 6 ASEAN Members in First 4 Months
	Export value (US$B)	Annual growth (%)
Singapore	6.197	22.8
Vietnam	2.792	-5.2
The Philippines	2.742	7.0
Thailand	2.167	5.4
Malaysia	2.101	-3.1
Indonesia	1.637	-5.3