Economists query semicon output fall in Q2

[SINGAPORE] After a sharp contraction in electronics output pulled manufacturing's second quarter performance down - which in turn weighed heavily on Q2 GDP growth - economists are hoping for more clarity from Singapore's Economic Development Board (EDB) on this year's surprise drop in semiconductor production.

Economists told The Business Times that they want more information on the "firm-specific factor" that caused a bewildering production cutback by an unnamed semiconductor player in April - especially since the impact is expected to linger. EDB had earlier announced that "although this is a one-off event, the decline will be registered in the year-on-year growth for the rest of the year".

The missing information, economists say, will help them better gauge where Singapore's manufacturing sector - and therefore the broader economy - is headed.