Production value next year would expand to NT$19.68 trillion (US$678.48 billion) from NT$18.79 trillion this year, the institute said. “The COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest factor affecting the prospects of the manufacturing sector next year,” ISTI senior researcher Patrick Liou (劉名寰) said. The information and communications technology industry next year would remain the supporting pillar of Taiwan’s manufacturing sector, he said. Production value in the industry would increase 3.55 percent year-on-year to NT$8 trillion, up from NT$7.72 trillion this year, he added. Production value in the sector this year would fall 18.76 percent, as crude oil prices stabilize, Liou said.

Source: Taipei Times November 04, 2020 15:56 UTC