Singapore manufacturers more optimistic about business conditions

Singapore's manufacturers are more optimistic about business conditions in the next six months ending September, compared to the first quarter of the year, a government survey said Monday.

A net weighted balance of 26 percent of manufacturers expected business conditions to improve, which is higher than the 7 percent recorded a quarter ago, said the survey by the Economic Development Board (EDB).

The EDB said, "The positive business sentiment is led by the electronics cluster."

In the electronics sector, which is Singapore's main exports, a net 38 percent of respondents expect business conditions to improve in the next six months, compared to a net weighted balance of -1 percent recorded in the first quarter.

The EDB said manufacturers in the computer peripherals and information communications as well as consumer electronics segments turned more confident due to new product launches and an expected pick up in demand following a first-quarter seasonal lull.

The Survey of Business Expectations of the Manufacturing Sector for the second quarter of 2007 was conducted in March. Out of a total of about 397 manufacturing establishments surveyed, 96 percent responded.

Source: Xinhua