In spite of the economic slump during the first half of this year, the import of digital electronic products has increased 19.7%, adding up to 20.6 billion dollars.
According to a report made on August 3, by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy, import of household appliances adds up to 1.6 billion dollars, info-communications 6.6 billion dollars and electronic parts 12.3 billion dollars for the first half year. Entire import amount is about 20 billion dollars which is 3 billion more than last year’s 17 billion dollars.

Domestic demand of electronic products has increased 4.9% and consumers prefer Japanese products and parts.

Import for each part has increased by 29.4%, 10 billion dollars in semiconductors which takes up half of the entire import amount. Flat display and sensors increased by 42.5%, printing circuits by 45.3%, printers by 27.7% and portable computers by 25.2%.

On the other hand, import of VCR with DVD players have decreased by -9.2%, personal computers by -11.7%), monitors by -9.1% and CRTs (cathode-ray tube) by -29.9%.

Import of household appliances recorded 6 billion dollars (10.9%), info-communication industry 15.5 billion dollars (20.5%) and electronic parts 11.3 billion dollars (8.9%) totaling 32.9 billion dollars for the first half of this year which increased by 14.5% than last year.

By regional groups, import in Asia (20.8%), EU(17.3%), Middle East (8.1%) and Oceania (38%) has distinctly increased, but decreased in North America (-4.4%), Central and South America (-3.2%) and Africa (-3.3%).

China’s export has especially increased by 66%, 4.8 billion dollars.

Domestic consumption for household appliances (-3.9%) and semiconductors (-6.4%) has increased only by 4.9%, 38.9 trillion Won and production has increased by 9.4%, 56.1 trillion Won.

According to a economic research for the latter half year, he Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy has surveyed 96 Korean electronic companies in June 38.3 million dollars which is 18.4% from last year’s rate, and also domestic demand is expected to increase to 45 trillion Won (10.9%), production to 62 trillion Won (12%) and import to 25.1 million dollars (22.2%).