[TAIPEI] Taiwan's economy grew a better-than-expected 3.78 per cent in third quarter, boosted by corporate investment, preliminary data showed on Friday.

The increase in July-September beat forecasts of 3.62 per cent and represents the best performance since the final three months of 2012, as demand for electronics, machinery and metals continued to grow, the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics said.

The figure shows a gradual improvement in the economy, which expanded 3.24 per cent in the first three months of the year and 3.74 per cent in April-June.