According to the statistics released by the Taiwan Ministry of Finance, Taiwan's iron and steel imports in May totaled $1.18 billion and its metal product imports amounted to $1.22 billion. The year-on-year increase rates were 145.6 percent and 107.4 percent respectively.
Meanwhile, in the first five months of this year, Taiwan's iron and steel imports came to $4.86 billion, up 113.9 percent, while its metal product imports, excluding machinery, rose 127.7 percent to $4.73 billion, both compared to the January-May period of 2009.
On the other hand, in May this year, Taiwan's iron and steel exports rose by 66.3 percent to $1.58 billion, while its metal product exports, excluding machinery, soared by 55.3 percent to $905.9 million, both compared to May 2009.
In the January-May period, the country's iron and steel exports were up 39.7 percent, totaling $6.55 billion, while its metal product exports, excluding machinery, stood at $3.84 billion, climbing by 49.2 percent, both compared to the corresponding period of 2009.