NODX up 9.1% in November
Pace of export growth slows but still beats projections
Singapore's exports continued to expand last month but well under October's sizzling pace as electronics continued its slowdown.
Non-oil domestic exports (NODX) rose 9.1 per cent over November last year, down from the revised 20.5 per cent growth in October, trade agency IE Singapore said yesterday.
October's expansion was the strongest pace of growth in eight months, due mainly to low base effects as well as a pick-up in the more volatile non-electronics segments.
November's performance, however, still beat economist projections of a 5.5 per cent expansion, said Reuters.
There were two main reasons, noted economists. One was that expansion in electronics did not slow down as much as expected, said UOB economist Francis Tan.
And unexpected growth drivers came from non-electronics segments such as non-monetary gold, which are harder to predict, added Standard Chartered economist Jonathan Koh.
NODX rose 8.7 per cent in November on a month-on-month seasonally-adjusted basis, cooling off slightly from October's 12.3 per cent growth.
Exports were supported by electronics and non-electronics.
Non-electronic products grew by 10.6 per cent year on year - the sixth consecutive month of expansion but easing from the 28.1 per cent growth seen in October. In particular, non-monetary gold, specialised machinery and primary chemical contributed the most to growth in non-electronic exports.
But economists warn that these segments do not follow a fixed pattern and could not be depended on for future growth.
Electronics shipments expanded at a more muted pace of 5.2 per cent in November compared with a year ago, up from the 4.5 per cent growth in October. Electronics has been the star performer and a key driver of the Singapore economy this year.
Economists note that the trend of slowing electronics exports has been evident in the past few months and is expected to continue.
Mr Tan said: "Although we remain positive... on the overall NODX expansion, we are doubtful whether the strong double-digit growth exhibited since November 2016 can be sustained as we move into 2018."
This is especially since the electronics cycle may be coming to an end with the rolling out of the next wave of smartphones, he added.
Singapore's non-oil re-exports - often seen as a proxy for wholesale trading - rose 3.9 per cent in November compared with a year earlier, after a 0.9 per cent decline in October.
Shipments to most of Singapore's top markets rose, except Hong Kong and Taiwan. Growth was mainly led by China, South Korea and the US.
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now
