TAIPEI, TAIWAN - After beginning the first quarter of 2008 with a 13.4% growth in machine tool exports, Taiwan`s major machine tool manufacturers Awea Mechantronic, Tong Tai Machine and Tool, Goodway Machine and Roundtop Machinery Industries are maintaining their brisk pace in equipment sales in the second quarter.

According to statistics compiled by Taiwan Association of Machinery Industry (TAMI), machinery exports reached US$3.851 billion in the first quarter of this year, up 13.4% or 9.7% from a year earlier.

Taiwanese companies, including high-tech companies, have significantly increased their investment in production equipment, with imports of machinery amounting to US$4.796 billion in the first quarter, up 29.1%, and 24.8% from a year earlier.