Taiwan Today
Date: January 30, 2016
Taiwan’s gross domestic product growth estimate for 2015 was revised
down to 0.85 percent by the ROC Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics Jan. 29, reflecting the slowing pace of global economic recovery.
Falling 0.21 of a percentage point from the November estimate, the change stems from lackluster exports of goods and services, weak prices for materials and a drop off in fourth-quarter consumption, according to the DGBAS.
“Real exports in commodities and services fell 2.8 percent in Q4, 1.71 percentage points shy of the previous estimate, while imports decreased 1.64 percent, or 1.27 percentage points below forecast,” DGBAS official Wang Shu-chuan said.
Q4 consumption was up 1.64 percent from a year ago, buoyed by rises of 4.29 percent and 4.23 percent in tourist attraction visitors and the food and drink sector, respectively, as well the rollout of the latest smart handheld devices. [FULL STORY]