Information and communication technology exports last month posted their highest figure in the nation's history. Shown are a staff member from Samsung Electronics (left) and one from EO Technics inspecting semiconductor laser facilities jointly developed by both companies. (Samsung Electronics)
By
Kang Gahui and
Kim Hayeon
Information and communication technology (ICT) exports last month reached USD 23.26 billion, the highest monthly figure for the sector in the nation's history.
Strong shipments of semiconductors, which account for over half of overall exports, and soaring sales of displays, cell phones, and computers and peripherals were behind the record-setting performance.
The Ministry of Science and ICT on April 3 said ICT exports last month hit USD 23.36 billion.
The figure was up 33.6% from the same month last year and the highest monthly amount since the nation began collecting ICT data in 1996. The previous mark was USD 22.14 billion in December last year.
By product, exports of the four leading ICT items rose about 40%: semiconductors (37.9%), displays (45.3%), cell phones (36.9%), and computers and peripherals (36.9%).
The main driver of the export milestone was chip exports, which hit USD 13.2 billion. This was also a monthly record for the item and the 11th straight month that such shipments broke USD 10 billion.
By region, all of the major five markets for ICT exports saw growth: China (28.6%), Vietnam (48.9%), the U.S. (37.7%), the European Union (27.1%) and Japan (14.2%).
kgh89@korea.kr
