S. Korea's steel, electronics industries to pick up next year: KCCI

By Nam Kwang-sik
SEOUL, Dec. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's semiconductor, steel, machinery and
electronics industries are expected to see a boom in sales next year on the back
of a rise in overseas shipments, a report said Tuesday.
The country's shipbuilding and construction sectors, however, will continue to
struggle as new orders are forecast to fall in 2010, according to the report
released by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
Semiconductor exports are predicted to rise 24.4 percent from a year ago to
US$38.5 billion next year, while the steel industry is expected to brush off this
year's slump through an increase in demand, the report said.
Rising demand in emerging markets, including China and the Middle East, is
expected to give a boost to the machinery sector, while the electronics sector is
forecast to see growing market share in Europe.
In contrast, a decline in new orders is expected to hit local shipbuilders next
year, while falling new orders from the public sector will hurt the nation's
builders, it said.
The textile industry will see a rise in exports to China next year, though
shipments to the U. S. and European countries will remain sluggish.
The country's petrochemical manufacturers are forecast to face fierce competition
as rivals from China and the Middle East will increase their supply of
petrochemicals in line with the completion of plants in the two regions, it said.
ksnam@yna.co.kr
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