October exports reach $1152.8 billion… up 93.7% year-on-year
Semiconductors account for about 49% of total exports at $564.4 billion
Imports at $727.8 billion, trade surplus at $425 billion
Spreading export gains and industrial diversification are key tasks
According to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy on the 1st, October exports stood at $1152.8 billion, a 93.7% increase compared to the same month last year. Semiconductor exports accounted for nearly half of the total.
Semiconductor exports surged 259.4% to $564.4 billion, while exports of items excluding semiconductors also grew by 34%. Among the top 20 major items, 18 saw increases, whereas ships dropped 43.6% to $2.64 billion.
Imports for the same month rose 36.0% to $727.8 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $425 billion. Cumulative exports from January to October this year reached $930 billion, leaving $700 billion short of the annual $1 trillion target. The government projected it would be achieved within November.
For these export records to translate into broader opportunities for youth, an industrial ecosystem that does not rely solely on the semiconductor boom is crucial. The challenge is to support corporate investment and innovation while also fostering the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises and talent development.