The manufacturing output of Singapore increased 0.9% in May 2016 year-on-year on strong growth of the biomedical manufacturing cluster. Excluding biomedical manufacturing, output fell 2.3%, however, according to the Economic Development Board (EDB).
Month-on-month, manufacturing output decreased 0.4% in May 2016 compared to April 2016. Excluding biomedical manufacturing, output fell 1.4%.
On output by cluster, biomedical manufacturing expanded 13.2% in the month year-on-year. Pharmaceuticals grew 14.2% due to a different mix of active pharmaceutical ingredients produced, and medical technology grew 9.2%, driven by strong export demand for medical devices. Year-to-date, the biomedical manufacturing cluster’s production increased 17.3% compared to the same period a year ago.
Electronics production increased 5.9% year-on-year, lifted by higher output in the semiconductors (16.6%) and other electronic modules & components (4.5%) segments. This was partially offset by declines in the rest of the electronic segments. Cumulatively, the cluster’s production grew 5.3% in the first five months of this year as against the same period last year.
Chemicals output fell 0.8% year-on-year. The other chemicals segment posted robust growth of 22.3% with higher production of fragrances, while the petroleum segment recorded 4.4% increase in output. On the other hand, specialties (-4.2%) and petrochemicals (-10.8%) declined due to plant maintenance shutdowns. In the first five months of this year, the chemicals cluster saw output fall 2.6 % compared to the same period in 2015.
Precision engineering decreased 1.0% year-on-year even as machinery & systems grew 3.3% with higher export demand for semiconductor-related equipment, and mechanical engineering works production rose in volume. The precision modules & components segment, however, shrank 7.3% on account of lower output in metal precision components, optical instruments, and fabricated metal products. Year-to-date, output of this cluster declined 5.0% compared to the same period last year.
The general manufacturing industries’ output decreased 2.0% in May 2016 year-on-year, as miscellaneous industries and printing segments recorded declines of 4.6% and 14.5%, respectively. Miscellaneous industries saw lower output in steel structural component and wearing apparel, while lower demand for commercial printing such as brochures, catalogues, books and periodicals led to lower printing output. The food, beverages & tobacco segment grew 4.8%. In the first five months of the year, the cluster’s output fell 1.1% compared to the same period last year.
Transport engineering declined 17.2% year-on-year. The aerospace and land transport segments grew 21.7% and 10.0%, respectively, with the aerospace segment benefiting from more engine repair jobs from commercial airlines. In contrast, marine & offshore engineering contracted 34.2% on account of reduced rig-building activity and weaker demand for oilfield & gasfield equipment amidst the low oil price environment. Year-to-date, transport engineering production decreased 18.3% in the first five months of 2016 compared to the same period last year.
Photo: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
