Exports in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector last month jumped 24.3% from a year earlier, hitting an all-time high.
According to ICT export-import trends from the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 14th, ICT exports in November totaled $25.45 billion, up 24.3% from the same period a year earlier ($20.48 billion).
Amid a semiconductor boom and recovering global demand for ICT devices, exports rose for the 10th consecutive month. In the all-time rankings for ICT exports, September ranked second ($25.4 billion) and October ranked third ($23.3 billion). By item, November exports increased for semiconductors (38.6%), mobile phones (3.5%), computers and peripherals (1.9%), and telecommunications equipment (3.3%), while displays fell 3.7%.
With fixed prices for memory DRAM and NAND rising and solid demand for high value-added products such as high-bandwidth memory (HBM), semiconductor exports jumped 38.6% to $17.27 billion, driving overall growth. Semiconductor exports also set an all-time record. It was the fourth time this year to rewrite the all-time high, following June, August, and September.
Imports in the ICT sector rose 2.7% on-year to $12.77 billion. The trade balance posted a surplus of $12.69 billion, also a record high.