Taiwan Bearing Exports Growing 8% in 2004

The Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry and Directorate General of Customs reported mechanical and power transmission component exports are now up more than 20% over 2003, to more than USD $120 million over the first five months of 2004. Bearings are the single largest portion of that class of goods, at 37% and up more than 8% from 2003. Taken together, gears, transmission shafts, and ballscrews account for the remaining 63%. Overall, the United States absorbs almost a quarter of Taiwan's bearing exports -- $14 million so far in 2004, out of $64 million. And through May, those imports by the U.S. were up almost 8% over the same period in 2003. Following the U.S. as export markets for Taiwan's bearings were Hong Kong / mainland China, Japan, Thailand, Germany, and Singapore.