Electronics and Components remained as the top foreign currency earner for February 2000 posting an 8.0 percent increase to an aggregate value of $1.481 billion. About 54.7 percent came from exports of semi-conductor devices manufactured from materials on consignment basis worth $810.49 million but which was 8.1 percent lower than $881.71 million a year ago. Other electronics and components, consisting mainly of finished electrical and electronic machinery and parts manufactured from materials on consignment basis, was valued at $282.6 million and a share of 19.1 percent of total. For micro-circuits valued at $311.01 million with a share of 21.0 percent of total exports of electronics and components, the top earner was the digital monolithic integrated units group.

Receipts from Input/Output/Peripheral Units grew by 25.3 percent to $229.44 million from $183.13 million in February last year.

The third top earner, Articles of Apparel and Clothing Accessories, was valued at $199.2 million which was higher by 22.1 percent over $163.1 million in February 1999. Of this, articles of apparel and clothing not manufactured from materials on consignment basis accounted for 53.0 percent amounting to $105.6 million. Women's wear manufactured from materials on consignment basis, valued at $31.38 million accounted for 15.8 percent while men's wear worth $35.29 million accounted for 17.7 percent. Children's and infant's wear followed with $18.13 million or 9.1 percent of the total.

Exports of petroleum products valued at $21.51 million in February 2000 went up by 135.6 percent from $9.13 million a year ago. The big rise was largely due to the increase in fuel oils which amounted to $10.89 million from nil a year earlier and sales of gas oil and diesel fuel both for international deliveries which rose by 139.5 and 183.9 percent respectively.

Fig. 1. Leading Philippine Export : February 2000

SHARES OF SINGAPORE, TAIWAN & KOREA FOR ELECTRONICS AND COMPONENTS INCREASE

Exports of electronics and components to the US amounted to $377.31 million which was 3.8 percent higher than $363.46 million in February last year. However, the US share went down to 25.5 percent from 26.5 percent. Netherlands' share likewise fell to 12.3 percent from 12.5 percent last year despite the increase in value of 6.3 percent to $182.30 million from $171.42 million. Singapore and Taiwan followed with shipments valued at $165.94 million and $136.74 million, respectively. Other large markets were Japan (8.2 percent), Malaysia (6.4 percent), Hongkong (5.5 percent) and Republic of Korea (4.9 percent). Exports to Singapore, Taiwan, and Korea considerably increased in February 2000.

Fig. 2. Leading Markets of Electronics and Components: February 2000

EXPORTS TO USA OF INPUT/OUTPUT/ PERIPHERAL UNITS RISE 79.0 PERCENT

The United States cornered 34.0 percent of the total export of input/output/peripheral units for February 2000. The amount of $78.06 million represents a 79.0 percent increase from $43.60 million a year ago. Receipts from Japan accounting for a 24.0 percent share dropped by 2.3 percent to $55.08 million from $56.40 million a year ago. Exports to Netherlands fell by 21.5 percent to $25.71 million equivalent to an 11.2 percent share. Other large markets were Taiwan ($21.67 million), United Kingdom of Great Britain ($13.28 million) and Germany ($11.47 million).

Fig. 3. Leading Markets of Input/Output/Peripheral Units: February 2000

GARMENT EXPORTS TO US REACH $146.51 MILLION

United States accounted for almost three-fourths (73.6%) of the total export earnings from Articles of Apparel and Clothing Accessories equivalent to $146.51 million. Japan came in second but with only a 4.1 percent share of the total while United Kingdom of Great Britain was third with 4.0 percent.

Fig. 4. Leading Markets of Articles of Apparel and Clothing Accessories: February 2000

SINGAPORE STILL TOP MARKET FOR RP PETROLEUM PRODUCTS

Singapore cornered 51.1 percent of the exports of petroleum products. Sales to Singapore leapt from only $0.045 million in February 1999 to $10.99 million to dislodge Japan, the top market for Petroleum Products last year. Japan ranked second with $5.58 million which was 85.8 higher than $3.00 million last year. The United States followed with a 4.0 percent share while Australia came fourth with a 3.8 percent share.

Fig. 5. Leading Markets of Petroleum Products: February 2000