Chip exports hit record US$11.9 billion

The nation`s exports of semiconductor chips during the first half of this year hit an all-time high, and the industry expects shipments for the whole year will reach a record level.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy reported July 27 that the first half`s overseas shipments of chips soared 31.8% to US$11.9 billion. It is the largest ever first-half export amount.

Exports in June amounted to US$2.39 billion, showing an increase of 63.2% from the same month a year ago. It was the second highest monthly shipment amount after November 1995`s US$2.43 billion.

The ministry forecast that this year`s entire export of semiconductors would exceed US$25.5 billion, exceeding the record of US$22.1 billion set in 1995.

During the first half, exports of memory chips, which are largely used for PCs, amounted to US$5.73 billion, while shipments of non-memory chips hit US$5.57 billion, showing increases of 54.8% and 13.9% respectively.