Pulled down by a sharp decline in pharmaceuticals which offset gains in electronics and engineering, Singapore's manufacturing output fell 21.9% in July, the government said August 26.
Production in the biomedicals sector tumbled an annual 67.4%, led by a 69.7% drop in pharmaceuticals. Medical technology output also fell, down 13%, the Economic Development Board (EDB) said.
It said the decrease in pharmaceuticals production was due to a high base in July 2007, lower demand for some products, and the closure of plants in preparation for a new product mix.
The fall in pharmaceuticals offset a 5.9% output rise in electronics, which was driven by an 11.6% jump in the production of semiconductors used in communication products.
Production of computer peripherals also rose 13.8%, but output for consumer electronics fell 31.9%.
Chemicals output increased 5.9% and transport engineering rose 5.7%, with an increase in oil rig building and ship repair businesses.
Overall for the seven months to July, cumulative output dipped 0.9% from the year before.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2008
