The average operating rate of small and medium-size manufacturers in South Korea
edged up in October from the previous month as strong exports of tech products
offset weak domestic demand, a business body said Thursday.
The
capacity utilization rate of 1,319 smaller manufacturers averaged 71.5 percent
last month, up 0.1 percentage point from September, according to the Korea
Federation of Small and Medium Business.
Of that total, slightly more
than 41 percent of the companies operated at more than 80 percent of their
capacity last month, up 0.1 percentage point from the previous month.
The operating rate of small manufacturers fell 0.1 percentage point on-month to
69.7 percent in October, while that for medium-sized companies gained 0.6
percentage point to 75.6 percent.
Capacity utilization for automobile,
medical equipment and watch makers rose slightly last month, but that for other
companies including computer and communication equipment producers decreased,
the report said.
"Despite a plunge in domestic demand for such
products as computers, the operating rate rose marginally last month on
increased exports of semiconductors and mobile phones as well as increased
domestic sales of automobiles," a federation official said.