In February, the country's information and communication technology (ICT) exports increased by 1.2% compared to the same period last year. Although there was a rebound from last month's decline, the growth rate was sluggish due to a decrease in semiconductor exports.
According to the Ministry of Science and ICT's 'February ICT import and export trends' report on the 16th, last month's ICT exports amounted to $16.71 billion, the second highest for February on record. Imports reached $10.9 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of $5.81 billion.
Semiconductor exports decreased by 3% year-on-year to $9.65 billion. The drop in fixed prices for memory semiconductors and production cuts due to the transition in NAND flash processes acted as negative factors.
Display exports totaled $1.47 billion, a decrease of 5.1%. Although there was a decline compared to the same month last year due to weak demand from televisions, computers, and other consumer electronics, exports remained around the $1 billion mark.
Mobile phone exports recorded $1.07 billion, an increase of 33.3% compared to the same period last year. Exports surged into double digits due to an expansion of component exports to overseas production bases located in China, Vietnam, and India. Exports of computers and peripherals increased by 26.9% to $1.12 billion, marking the 14th consecutive month of growth. Communications equipment exports recorded $340 million, a 74.1% increase year-on-year, rebounding after two months, driven by a surge in supplies of navigation aids to India and increased demand for military communication equipment in the United States.