|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
Monthly manufacturing performance - November 2003 |
|
| |
26 Dec 2003
Manufacturing output still on upswing in November
(I) Total Manufacturing Performance
Manufacturing output maintained its upswing in November. Output grew year-on-year in November by 7.7% and most major clusters recorded higher output. As for the three-month moving average, it increased by 10.9% over November last year. On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, November's output declined by 10.3% from October's level. This was mainly due to the biomedicals cluster which had very high output in October. Cumulative output for the first eleven months of 2003 grew by 3.1% compared to the cumulative output in the same period in 2002.
(II) Performance by cluster
The biomedicals cluster grew by 27.4% year-on-year in November. The pharmaceuticals segment contributed to the growth with its increase of 34.0% in output of fine chemicals. Output of medical technology products grew by 7.0% to meet export demand from US and EU. Cumulative output for the first eleven months of 2003 showed a 15.2% growth for the biomedicals cluster when compared to the same months in 2002.
The electronics cluster grew by 11.2% in November 2003 with higher output in all major segments except the infocomms and consumer electronics segment. The upturn in global demand for semiconductors remained as the driving force for November's higher output of chips, especially for mobile products. Production of semiconductors increased by 31.0%. Higher output of disk drives boosted the 11.2% growth in the data storage segment. The assembly of printed circuit boards also increased, particularly for telecommunication equipment. The computer peripherals segment grew by 3.7% arising from a slight increase in output of printers. In contrast, the infocomms and consumer electronics segment declined by 10.9% with lower output of computers. Cumulatively, the electronics cluster grew by 4.1% in the first eleven months of this year compared to the same period last year.
The chemicals cluster grew by 3.1% year-on-year in November as the contraction in the petroleum segment offset somewhat the expansions in the petrochemicals and specialty chemicals segments. Output of petrochemicals was 22.9% higher with most plants producing normally after their shutdowns in previous months. The specialty chemicals segment grew by 10.0% with higher production of food chemicals, mineral additives, electronic chemicals and industrial coatings. Regional demand boosted their output. On the other hand, the petroleum segment contracted by 11.7% as production in a refinery was affected by a fire and shutdown in one of its distillation units. Cumulative output of the chemicals cluster increased by 6.1% in the first eleven months of 2003 over the same period in 2002.
The precision engineering cluster grew by 3.6% in November, contributed by output increase of 17.3% in the machinery & systems segment. There was higher output of machine tools, refrigerating machinery and automated material handling equipment. On the other hand, the production of precision modules and components slackened with less output of precision components, springs, wires and lead frames. The entire cluster's cumulative output for the first eleven months this year dipped down 2.2% compared to the same period in 2002.
The transport engineering cluster contracted again in November by 5.6%, albeit at a lesser rate than October. This was due mainly to a 15.6% decline in the aerospace segment as there was lesser repair of commercial aircraft for the US. On the other hand, the marine and offshore engineering segment grew by 6.2% with more shipbuilding and repair works done in the shipyards this November. Cumulative output for the first eleven months this year declined 7.5% compared to the same period in 2002.
The general manufacturing industries shrank in November by 1.1%, pulled down by less output of printed products and food and beverage production. The November decline led to a cumulative decline of 4.4% for the first eleven months this year.
The Monthly Index is available from the Research & Statistics Unit of the Economic Development Board. For further information on this, please contact Miss Kok Yit Hoe by tel - 6832 6741 / fax - 6336-1365 / email yithoe@ edb.gov.sg
MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS
CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION
Editors' Note: Updates on Monthly Manufacturing Output are available on
http://www.gov.sg/sprinter and http://www.sedb.com
For media enquiries, please contact Ms Vanessa Wan (Tel: 6832-6677/ hdph: 9839 3439/ Email:vanessa_wan@edb.gov.sg)
The monthly index is available from the Research & Statistics Unit of the Economic Development Board. For further information on this, please contact Miss Kok Yit Hoe (Tel: 6832-6741 / Fax: 6336-1365 / Email: yithoe@edb.gov.sg).
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
