Taipei - Taiwan's export orders in August rose nearly six per cent owing to increased orders for information products, the Economics Ministry said Tuesday.

Taiwan's August export orders totaled 32.1 billion US dollars, up 1.64 billion or 5.38 per cent, year on year.

The surge was led by a 12 per cent cent increase in orders for information products, especially new brands of notebook computers, as well as chemicals, the ministry said.

Orders for information products in August hit 750 million US dollars, up 12 per cent year on year, while orders for chemicals reached 350 million dollars, up 24.23 per cent year on year.

In the first eight months in 2008, Taiwan has received 246 billion US dollars-worth of export orders, up 26 billion or 12 per cent year on year.

Export orders point to delivery three months later and serve as an important indicator of a country's economy.

Taiwan has few natural resources, so its economy relies mainly on export of food, fruit, gifts, shoes, garments, bikes, computers and heavy machinery. (dpa)