Singapore factory output up 11.1% in May

The pharma segment led the growth at 19.2%.

Singapore’s manufacturing output jumped 11.1% in May 2018. Excluding biomedical manufacturing, output grew 9.8%.

According to an announcement, biomedical manufacturing output increased by 17.7% compared to a year ago. The pharmaceutical segment grew 19.2%, thanks to a different mix of active pharmaceutical ingredients being produced. The medical technology segment rose 14.3% with higher export demand for medical devices. 

Electronics output grew 17.1% as the semiconductors segment posted a robust growth of 26.9%, whilst the output of the rest of the electronic segments fell.

Chemicals output jumped 8.6% thanks to the petrochemicals segment which grew 19.6% on the back of increased production capacities. The other chemicals and petroleum segment expanded 12.6% and 9.7% respectively, where the former saw higher output in fragrances.

General manufacturing output increased 5.2% as the food, beverages & tobacco segment grew 17.6%, on account of higher production in infant milk products and beverage products. The miscellaneous industries and printing segments fell 4.6% and 8.3% respectively.

Meanwhile, transport engineering output grew 3% thanks to the aerospace segment, which grew 11.6% on the back of higher volume of repair and maintenance work from commercial airlines. The marine & offshore engineering and land transport segments, however, contracted 0.6% and 15.1% respectively.

Precision engineering output fell 0.8% as the machinery & systems segment grew 2.2%, on account of higher production of process control equipment and back-end semiconductor equipment. The precision modules & components segment contracted 1.6% with lower production of dies, moulds, tools, jigs & fixture.