Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/03/31
By: Chen Cheng-wei and Jay Chen

Taipei, March 31 (CNA) The composite index of Taiwan’s manufacturing sector flashed a blue light in February, indicating a severe slowdown, the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research (TIER,台灣經濟研究院) said Tuesday.

TIER’s manufacturing composite index for February fell 2.49 points from the previous month to 9.68, as the industrial production index and growth in export orders and imports all fell below their levels in January, the think tank said.

The lower than average number of working days because of the six-day Lunar New Year holiday in February also dragged down the index, which had flashed a yellow-blue light, indicating sluggishness, for the previous 10 months, the TIER said.     [FULL  STORY]