TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA, 經濟部) reported on Thursday (Feb. 19) that the manufacturing industry sector's output reached NT$5.053 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2024, marking a 9.44% year-on-year increase. This growth, sustained over four consecutive quarters, was driven by strong demand for applications in Artificial Intelligence (AI), High-Performance Computing (HPC), and cloud data processing.
The MOEA's Department of Statistics (經濟部統計處) highlighted potential challenges ahead, including the U.S.-China tech dispute, geopolitical conflicts, and international trade protection measures, which could hinder global economic growth. However, they noted that expanding emerging technologies like HPC and AI should support stable growth in manufacturing production.
In the Electronics and Information Technology Industries category, electronic components industries achieved a record quarterly output of NT$1.7811 trillion, a 19.37% increase from the previous year. The integrated circuits industry, benefiting from AI and HPC demand, saw its output rise to NT$1.195 trillion, a 26.81% increase. Conversely, the flat-panel and its component industries experienced a 2.97% decline in output to NT$124 billion due to reduced production of large-size Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display (TFT-LCD) panels.
The computer, electronic, and optical products industries also set a new record for the same quarter, with output climbing to NT$448.3 billion, a 25.49% increase, thanks to AI applications and cloud data services. Meanwhile, traditional industries like the chemical materials and fertilizers industry saw a 2.73% decrease in output to NT$362.8 billion, facing uneven global demand recovery and intensified market competition.