Economic Division

Post Date：2009/3/16

1. Brief on Taiwan’s Economic Performance

While the global economic outlook continues to deteriorate due to intensifying financial turmoil emanating from the U.S., Taiwan’s economy will continue to feel the impact through financial conduits. In the fourth quarter of 2008, private investment and consumption are expected to continue weakening. With the global economic downturn projected to grow deeper and more protracted, external trade will be increasingly pinched. For 2008 as a whole, Taiwan’s real GDP is forecast to grow by 1.87%. Taiwan is now the world’s 18th largest economy, with total trade amounting to US$496.4 billion in 2008. Its foreign exchange reserves of more than US$297.71 billion rank fourth highest in the world. The latest forecasts for the global economy point to a marked slowdown of growth in 2009. While this will put stress on Taiwan’s exports, the second half of the year is expected to bring an improved contribution to growth from the domestic sector. For 2009 as a whole, real GDP is predicted to grow by 2.12%, with per capita GDP reaching US$17,176.

2. Brief on Taiwan’s Industrial Development

Taiwan is a world-class manufacturing center and has a leading global market share for many products. In terms of production value or volume, many electronic products made in and made by Taiwan ranked No. 1 globally, for example Motherboards, WLAN, WLAN NIC, Glass fiber, Notebook PCs, Servers, VoIP Routers and Modems.

3. The Economic Division in Singapore

(1) Brief History
 a.The Trade Mission of the R.O.C. was set in April 1969.
 b.The Commerce Division was restructured in June 1990.
 c.In December of 1990 the Commerce Division was renamed the Economic Division.

(2) Services Provided by the Division
 a.The primary role of the Division is to promote trade and investment relations between Taiwan and Singapore, especially in the area of governmental cooperation.
 b.Trade and Investment Inquiries : The Trade Reference Room has comprehensive materials on Taiwan’s trade and investment environment such as trader’s guide, magazines, printed statutes, and market analysis reports.

(3) Contacts Us
 *Address : 460 Alexandra Road, #23-00 PSA Building, Singapore 119963
 *Tel : 6500 0100
 *Fax : 6271 9885
 *Email : tpetrade@singnet.com.sg
 *Office Hours : 09:00-12:00, 13:30-17:00 (Monday to Friday)