Singapore's manufacturing output up 2.1 per cent in May

Singapore's manufacturing output rose 2.1 per cent in May over the same month last year, driven mainly by a boost in biomedical manufacturing, statistics released on Wednesday showed.

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Here is the release from EDB:

Highlights

On a year-on-year basis, Singapore's manufacturing output increased 2.1 per cent in May 2013. Excluding biomedical manufacturing, output fell 2.4 per cent.

On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, manufacturing output grew 1.2 per cent in May 2013. Excluding biomedical manufacturing, output increased 1.0 per cent.

(I) Total Manufacturing Performance

On a year-on-year basis, manufacturing output increased 2.1 per cent in May 2013. Excluding biomedical manufacturing, output fell 2.4 per cent. On a three-month moving average basis, manufacturing output increased 0.7 per cent in May 2013, compared to a year ago. On a seasonally adjusted month-on-month basis, manufacturing output increased 1.2 per cent in May 2013. Excluding biomedical manufacturing, output increased 1.0 per cent.

(II) Performance by cluster

Output of the biomedical manufacturing cluster grew 22.8 per cent in May 2013 on a year-on-year basis. The pharmaceuticals segment expanded 25.2 per cent, supported by higher production of active pharmaceutical ingredients, while the medical technology segment increased 10.7 per cent. On a year-to-date basis, output of the biomedical manufacturing cluster increased 7.1 per cent, compared to the same period a year ago.

Output of the electronics cluster rose 4.3 per cent in May 2013, compared to the same period a year ago. The other electronics modules & components segment grew 55.6 per cent, on the back of high regional demand for electronics components. Output of the computer peripherals and semiconductors segments also expanded, increasing 12.5 per cent and 11.8 per cent, respectively. Cumulatively, output of the electronics cluster contracted 4.8 per cent from January to May this year, compared to the same period last year.

The general manufacturing cluster's output grew 2.2 per cent in May 2013, compared to a year ago. The miscellaneous industries segment grew 9.7 per cent, supported by higher output in construction related products such as articles of concrete, cement & plaster, and metal doors, windows, grilles & gratings. However, this was partly offset by declines in the food, beverages & tobacco (-0.4 per cent) and printing (-10.2 per cent) segments. On a year-to-date basis, output of the general manufacturing cluster rose 2.0 per cent.

The chemicals cluster's output declined 1.9 per cent year-on-year in May 2013, with all segments recording lower output. The petroleum segment contracted 4.2 per cent, mainly due to plant shutdowns for maintenance, and the specialties segment saw lower output in food chemicals & additives. Output of the chemicals cluster in the first five months of 2013 fell 1.2 per cent on a year-on-year basis.

Output of the precision engineering cluster declined 6.2 per cent year-on-year in May 2013. The machinery & systems segment contracted 3.8 per cent with lower production of electric generators and semiconductor related equipment. Output of the precision modules & components segment fell 8.7 per cent with lower output in metal stamping work and dies, moulds, jigs & fixtures. Cumulatively, output of the precision engineering cluster shrank 9.1 per cent year-on-year in the first five months of this year.

Output of the transport engineering cluster contracted 13.2 per cent year-on-year in May 2013. The marine & offshore engineering segment declined 11.9 per cent as a result of lower contributions from rig building and ship building & conversion activities. The aerospace segment fell 21.0 per cent due to lower demand for repairs and maintenance jobs from the US and Europe. Output of the transport engineering cluster in the first five months of 2013 declined 8.8 per cent, compared to the same period last year.