Taiwan's industrial production index up in January

TAIPEI - Taiwan's industrial production index in January rose 10.86 percent from a year earlier to 115.98, thanks to the steady global economic growth, according to the island's economic affairs authority Monday.

The sub-index for the manufacturing sector grew 10.84 percent from a year earlier to 117.45 in January, setting a new monthly high and registering 21 consecutive months of increase.

Taiwan's industrial production, especially the semi-conductor sector, is expected to continue to expand in the first quarter of 2018, buoyed by the development of novel technology and steady global economic growth, the island's economic affairs authority said.

In the meantime, Taiwan's wholesale revenue grew 10 percent year-on-year to NT$882.9 billion ($30.15 billion) in January, but the retail and catering sectors dropped 4.4 percent and 12.1 percent, respectively, due to a different base of comparison as the Lunar New Year fell in January in 2017, but in February in 2018.