machinery, manufacturing--Industrial production index rises 24.33% year-on-year

Taipei, July 23 (CNA) Taiwan's industrial production index grew 24.33 percent in June compared with the same month last year, thanks to large foreign orders received by the information and electronics and the machinery manufacturing industries, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said Friday.

Statistics released by the ministry indicate that the industrial production index stood at 125.71 -- with 2006 as a base year of 100 -- and the manufacturing sector index was 128.43, with year-on-year growth of 26.22 percent.

As improving economic prospects stimulated investment interest, demand for machinery and other production equipment increased in the first half of this year. Machinery production in June grew 68.51 percent year-on-year.

The electronics manufacturing industry also registered impressive growth in June, with a 43.48 percent year-on-year increase attributed partially to rising demand from newly industrialized countries.

Large demand from integrated device manufacturers also helped boost the output of semi-conductors, flat panels, printed integrated circuit boards and electro-optical products.