Taiwan export orders up 0.3 pct in October

Taiwan's export orders saw year-on-year growth of 0.3 percent in October on the back of high demand for telecommunication and electronic products, according to data released by the island's economic department Monday.

Export orders for the month stood at 42.68 billion U.S. dollars, according to the department. It was the third consecutive monthly increase.

According to the department, orders for electronic, metal and machinery products led the increase while orders for chemicals, precise instruments and rubber products decreased.

The department said orders from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong increased. Orders from United States and Japan fell.

It forecast that orders for electronics and telecommunication products will continue to grow at steady pace in the rest of the year as Europe and the United States enter a major shopping season and demand for electronic products will stay robust. Endi