Semiconductor Power
The export of information and communications technology (ICT) products hit a record high in history in January, propelled by the shipment of semiconductors.
The Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning announced on Feb. 10 that ICT exports in January increased 6.3 percent from the same month last year, amounting to US$14.15 billion. In January, exports recorded record numbers despite the rapid growth of China and global unfavorable business environment, including the economic depression of Russia and Europe.
By item, US$5.27 billion worth of semiconductors were shipped, up 13.3 percent from a year ago, and display panels saw a US$2.25 billion in exports, up 1.2 percent.
Computers and computer peripheral equipment increased to US$650 million, which increased by 2.3 percent. But exports of cell phones decreased to US$2.05 billion, down 5.1 percent from the same period last year due to intense competition with Apple and Chinese local cell phone makers.
By region, exports to China and the U.S. showed an upward trend. The shipment to China increased 13.7 percent to US$7.49, and that to the U.S. increased 12.9 percent to US$1.2 billion. Exports to Japan and European Union (E.U.), which are showing slow economic recovery, decreased 1.8 percent and 25 percent, respectively.
While imports of ICT increased to US$7.94 billion, up 14 percent from the same month last year, the foreign trade index of ICT recorded a surplus of US$6.2 billion, contributing to the surplus of US$5.53 billion in the trade balance of the nation’s entire industry.
By import item, imports of cell phones like the iPhone 6 sharply increased to US$910 million, up 55.2 percent from a year ago, and imports of semiconductors, display panels, and digital TVs increased 13.0 percent, 17.0 percent, and 45.2 percent, respectively.