CC BY
34Nina Tsvetkova*
South-East Asian Countries in International Division of Labour: ICT goods exports, 2000-2015
Abstracts: South-East Asian countries have assumed an important place in international division of labor as exporters of ICT goods by 2000 and succeeded in maintaining it in the context of growing competition with China. The article makes an attempt to show positions of South-East Asian countries on world markets of different categories of ICT goods, and the profiles of different South-East Asian countries as ICT goods exporters. Keywords: South-East Asian countries exporters of ICT goods electronic components, exports, computer equipment, telecommunications equipment.
The article is aimed at analyzing positions of South-East Asian countries in the international division of labor as exporters of ICT goods. According to UNCTAD, ICT goods include such categories as computer equipment, telecommunications equipment, consumer electronics, electronic components and miscellaneous goods1.
Analysis of ICT goods production and exports in Asian countries based on UNCTAD and WTO statistics, which has been undertaken by the author, shows that in 2000-2015 South-East Asian Countries occupied a prominent position in ICT goods world exports2.
South-East Asian countries in World Exports of ICT Goods
In 1996 developed countries: the USA (17.7 percent of world exports) and Japan (14.7%) were leading exporters of ICT goods. Singapore was the third exporter in the world with 9.7 per cent of world exports, Malaysia was fifth (5.3%) and Thailand was 11th, after China (2.7% of world exports, 10th rank)3. The share of three South-East Asian countries amounted to 17.7% of world ICT goods exports.
Table 1
ICT goods exports, 2000-2015 ($ B)
2000 2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
World 999.9 1375.3 1722.5 1815.7 1832.2 1921.6 1980.0 1947.7
Developing countries 429.2 769.3 1160.0 1236.4 1296.8 1398.0 1441.5 1450.6
* Tsvetkova Nina - PhD in Economy, Leading Researcher, Institute of Oriental Studies, RAS.
1 См., например: Bilateral trade flows by ICT goods categories, annual, 2000-2013; 2000-2014. Information Economy. http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/ TableViewer/tableView.aspx=15850 (даты обращения: 12.04.2015).
2 Tsvetkova N.N. Informatsionno-kommunikatsionnye tekhnologii v stranakh Vostoka: proizvodstvo tovarov IKT i IT-uslug. M.: IV RAN, 2016.
3 Information Economy Report 2007-2008. UN. N.Y.; Gen., 2007. Р. 136.
2000 2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Developing countries: Asia 389.2 722.5 1091.3 1167.9 1226.9 1328.6 1372.6 1383.4
Developing countries: East Asia 216.8 493.5 831.0 907.2 957.4 1040.9 1076.4 1080.7
Developing countries: South-East Asia 170.4 219.2 252.7 250.9 260.2 279.0 290.0 289.4
Transition economies 0.8 0.8 1.8 2.4 3.4 3.6 5.6 3.6
Developed countries 569.9 605.2 560.7 576.9 520.0 532.9 493.5
Sources: Bilateral trade flows by ICT goods categories, annual, 2000-2013. Information Economy. http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/TableViewer/tableView.aspx=15850 (access date: 12.04.2015); Bilateral trade flows by ICT goods categories, annual, 2000-2014. Information Economy. http:// unctadstat. unctad.org/wds/TableViewer/tableView.aspx=15850 (access date: 2.03.2016); Bilateral trade flows by ICT goods categories, annual, 2000-2015. http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/ TableViewer/tableView.aspx (access date: 10.01.2018).
In 2000 world ICT goods exports reached $999.9 B. Leading exporters were the same as in 1996: the USA ($156.7 B; 15.7% of world exports), Japan (10.9%). In 2000 the share of developing countries in ICT goods exports reached 42.9%, that of South-East Asian countries, 17.0%, and East Asia countries, 21.7%. The share of South-East Asia and East Asia countries taken as a whole amounted to 38.7%; these two groups of countries were main exporters among developing countries in 2000.
Singapore ($75.8 B; 7.6% of world ICT goods exports) was third in the world in 2000; Malaysia ($51.7; 5.2%) was sixth. China was tenth; its share of world exports amounted to 4.4% ($44.1 B). Thailand ($19.7 B; 2% of world exports) and the Philippines ($14.8 B, 1.5%) were also prominent exporters. South-East Asia countries' share in world exports of computer equipment was 19%, and their share in exports of electronic components for ICT goods amounted to 21% (calculations based on tables 1, 2, 3). By 2000 South-East Asian countries have attained a prominent position in international division of labour in ICT goods production.
Table 2
ICT Goods Exports, by Goods Categories, 2000-2015 ($B)
2000 2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
World
ICT goods 999.9 1375.3 1722.5 1815.7 1832.2 1921.6 1980.0 1947.7
Computer equipment 367.2 474.1 499.6 516.9 524.8 515.1 530.0 475.1
Telecommunications equipment 154.7 218.7 333.4 393.9 408.9 461.8 496.0 524.3
Consumer electronics 105.7 182.0 229.6 222.4 216.4 205.7 204.4 198.7
Electronic components 321.9 392.3 574.3 594.4 596.2 657.7 667.5 671.7
2000 2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Countries of SouthEast Asia
ICT goods 170.4 219.2 252.7 250.9 260.2 279.0 290.0 289.4
Computer equipment 71.3 77.6 72.7 62.9 66.0 62.8 62.9 60.7
Telecommunications equipment 7.4 14.9 13.4 20.6 28.7 37.6 40.8 49.1
Consumer electronics 17.4 17.3 22.6 21.7 21.0 20.1 19.4 17.7
Electronic components 68.4 101.1 1377 138.6 138.4 152.8 160.6 155.4
Source: Bilateral trade flows by ICT goods categories, annual, 2000-2013. Information Economy. http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/TableViewer/tableView.aspx=15850 (дата обращения: 12.04.2015); Bilateral trade flows by ICT goods categories, annual, 2000-2014. Information Economy. http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/TableViewer/tableView.aspx=15850 (дата обращения: 2.03.2016); Bilateral trade flows by ICT goods categories, annual, 2000-2015. http://unctadstat unctad.org/wds/TableViewer/tableView.aspx (дата обращения: 10.01.2018).
In 2005 the share of developing countries in world ICT goods exports reached 55.9%, with the share of East Asia countries increased to 36.0% and that of SouthEast Asia countries slightly diminished, to 15.9%. In 2000-2005 there was an impressive growth of ICT goods exports from China, which moved from the tenth place to the first place ($234 B; 17% of world exports in 2005). The former leader among Asian countries, Singapore kept its share in world exports (7.6%), its exports grew in 2000-2005 from $75.8 B to $104.4 B, but Singapore moved to the fourth place. Top ten exporters included also Malaysia ($61.4 B, 4.5%, 9th rank). Thailand ($25.8 B; 1.9% of world exports) and the Philippines ($19.7 B; 1.4%) were also important exporters (calculations based on tables 1, 2, 3), they were not part of "top ten", their ICT exports grew, but their share in world exports decreased due to dramatic growth of exports from China.
Graph 1
Share in world ICT goods world exports: developing countries, including countries of East and South-East Asia, 2000-2015 (%)
80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
55,9
48,2
21,7 , 17
15,9 14,7
14,9
Developing countries
■ Developing countries: East Asia
- Countries of SouthEast Asia
2000 2005 2010 2015
67,3
42,9
36
Source: table 1.
In 2010, after global financial and economic crisis, Singapore's ICT goods exports amounted to $120.8 B, 7% of world exports. ICT goods exports from Malaysia reached $67.6 B, 3.9% of world exports. Exports from Thailand amounted to $37 B (2.1% of world exports), the highest level for the country in 2000-2015. Exports from the Philippines, on the contrary, decreased to $13.8 B and continued to decrease in 2011. The growth resumed only in 2012.
Graph 2
ICT Goods Exports: All Countries, East and South-East Asia Countries,
2000-2015 ($ billion)
Source: data from table 1.
As a whole, the share of developing countries in world ICT goods exports in 2000-2015 increased from 42.9 to 74.5%, with the share of East and South-East Asia growing from 38.7% to 70.4%. The share of East Asia countries grew from 36.0% to 55.5%, and that of South-East Asia countries decreased in 2000-2011 from 17% to 13.8%, and then grew a little, to 14.9% by 2015. This growth was caused mainly by rapid growth of telecommunications equipment exports from Viet Nam. But one can evaluate the achievements of South-East Asian countries from another angle. They managed to maintain their high share in the world ICT exports in the context of extremely rapid growth of ICT goods exports from China. Great efforts have been required to maintain this share. One can remember for this purpose a citation from "Alice in Wonderland" by Lewis Carrol often given by Russian economist Vitaly Melyantsev for explanation of some economic phenomena saying that you must run as fast as you can just to stay where you are (and to get somewhere you have to run much faster)4. We have to think of this citation rather often in our everyday life.
4 Mel'iantsev V.A. Umnye tekhnologii, paradoks Solou i protivorechiia sotsial'no-ekonomicheskogo razvitiia v stranakh Zapada i Vostoka v nachale XXI v. // Vostok (Oriens). 2017, № 3.
Table 3
ICT Goods Exports, South-East Asian Countries, 2000-2015 ($ billion)
2000 2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Malaysia
ICT goods 51.7 61.4 67.6 66.8 63.5 64.4 67.3 60.2
Computer equipment 21.0 23.1 22.8 17.0 16.3 15.3 13.6 12.2
Telecommunications equipment 3.0 4.6 2.4 2.9 3.5 3.9 4.8 4.3
Consumer electronics 8.0 7.0 8.9 8.4 7.4 6.9 6.2 4.8
Electronic components 18.5 25.0 31.4 36.0 34.5 37.0 40.7 36.8
Singapore
ICT goods 75.8 104.4 120.8 118.4 116.0 122.8 122.7 116.0
Computer equipment 30.5 31.9 22.0 20.6 20.0 18.0 16.7 16.0
Telecommunications equipment 2.8 8.8 6.5 8.5 8.8 8.9 8.8 10.5
Consumer electronics 3.7 3.9 3.7 3.4 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.0
Electronic components 35.3 55.2 87.0 84.1 82.7 91.2 92.7 85.3
The Philippines
ICT goods 14.8 19.7 13.8 10.9 15.3 17.1 21.4 25.2
Computer equipment 7.2 7.7 5.5 4.3 5.0 4.2 6.6 6.4
Telecommunications equipment 0.6 0.3 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.4
Consumer electronics 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.4
Electronic components 6.3 11.0 7.1 6.1 9.4 11.9 13.4 17.4
Thailand
ICT goods 19.7 25.8 37.0 35.6 36.8 35.6 36.5 35.0
Computer equipment 9.1 11.9 18.1 16.3 18.7 17.4 17.6 16.8
Telecommunications equipment 0.7 0.9 1.8 2.0 2.3 2.3 2.4 2.3
Consumer electronics 2.5 3.8 4.8 5.2 5.9 5.5 5.7 5.3
Electronic components 7.1 8.3 10.3 10.2 8.3 9.1 9.7 9.9
Indonesia
ICT goods 7.6 6.9 7.9 7.8 7.7 6.6 6.1 5.3
Computer equipment 3.1 2.5 2.2 2.1 2.3 1.8 1.9 1.8
Telecommunications equipment 0.3 0.4 0.2 0.4 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.18
Consumer electronics 2.8 2.3 4.1 3.8 3.3 3.1 2.6 2.2
Electronic components 0.9 1.4 1.1 1.2 1.1 1.0 0.9 0.74
Vietnam
ICT goods 0.8 0.9 5.7 11.3 20.9 32.4 36.0 47.6
Computer equipment 0.5 0.5 2.0 2.6 4.0 6.1 6.4 7.5
2000 2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Telecommunications equipment 0.02 0.04 2.0 6.7 13.2 21.9 24.4 31.4
Consumer electronics 0.1 0.2 0.8 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.0 3.1
Electronic components 0.2 0.2 0.7 1.0 2.4 2.7 2.8 5.3
Brunei, ICT goods 0.012
Cambodia, ICT goods 0.187
Computer equipment
Telecommunications equipment 0.066
Consumer electronics 0.015
Myanmar, ICT goods
Source: Bilateral trade flows by ICT goods categories, annual, 2000-2013. Information Economy. http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/TableViewer/tableView.aspx=15850 (access date: 12.04.2015); Bilateral trade flows by ICT goods categories, annual, 2000-2014. Information Economy. http://unct-adstat. unctad.org/wds/TableViewer/tableView.aspx=15850 (access date: 2.03.2016); Bilateral trade flows by ICT goods categories, annual, 2000-2015. http://unctadstat.unctad.org/wds/TableViewer/ tableView.aspx (access date: 10.01.2018). (sources for table 1).
In 2000-2015 the world ICT goods exports almost doubled. But during the latest two years world exports of ICT goods exports growth rates slowed down, somehow. In 2014 the exports amounted to $1980 B, it increased as compared to 2013 by 3% only, and in 2015 it decreased to $1947.7 B. ICT goods exports from South-East Asia in 2014-2015 remained at the same level, $290 B in 2014 and $289.4 B in 2015. Since 2000, in the context of rapid growth of ICT exports from China and the increase of the share of East Asia, the growth of ICT goods exports from South-East Asia was not so rapid, in 2000-2015 it grew by 70%, while the exports from East Asia increased by 399%, or by 5 times. You can see these different trends of growth at Graph 2.
In 2000-2014 world exports of computer equipment grew from $367.2 B to $530.0 B, but its part in world ICT goods exports diminished from 36.7% to 26.8%. In 2014 65.1% of world computer equipment exports originated from developing countries of Asia (as they are defined in UNCTAD statistics, including Singapore, South Korea that have high per capita gross national income, but excluding Japan and Israel that are defined as developed countries). China was the first among exporters (40.7% of world computer equipment exports). Other exporters in the top ten were the USA (8.7%), Hong Kong (China) (8.2%), the Netherlands, Mexico, Germany, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Czech Republic. Two out of five computers on the world export market are made in China. In 2015 world exports of computer equipment decreased to $475.1 B. Some sort of stagnation was observed on the world computers market due to market saturation and competition with mobile devices that assume computers' functions required for many users. Exports of computer equipment from South-East Asia reached its maximum level in 2005
($77.6 B, 16.4% of world exports) as compared to $71.3 B in 2000 (19.4% of world exports), and decreased to $72.7 B in 2010 and $60.7 B in 2015. Exports of computer equipment from Singapore in 2000 ($30.5 B) was almost twice higher than such exports from China ($17.9 B); it amounted to 8.3% and 4.9% of world exports. In 2014 Thailand was seventh ($17.6 B; 3.3%); Singapore eighth ($16.7 B; 3.2%); Malaysia, ninth (2.6%). Among top ten exporters there were three countries of South-East Asia, and the first among them was not Singapore, but Thailand. In 2015 the share of Asian developing countries in world computer exports amounted to 65.3%, with the share of China decreasing to 38.7%; that of Thailand, 3.5%; Singapore, 3.3%; Malaysia, 2.6%; Viet Nam, 1.6% (calculated on data from sources to tables 2, 3).
Graph 3
Exports of ICT Goods from South-East Asia Countries by Goods Categories, 2000-2015 (in $ B)
350 300
250
200 150 -I-100 — 50 0
Note:
1. ICT goods
2. Computer equipment
3. Telecommunications equipment
4. Consumer electronics
5. Electronic components
Source: table 2.
From the graph. 3 it can be seen that the most dynamic categories of ICT goods exports from South-East Asia were telecommunications equipment and electronic components for ICT goods. Exports of consumer electronics remained practically unchanged and exports of computer equipment even decreased.
Telecommunications equipment was the most dynamic group of world ICT goods exports in 2005-2015, it increased from $154.7 B to $524.3 B and its share in world ICT exports grew from 15.5% to 26.9%. In 2015, 76.4% of world exports of telecommunications equipment originated from developing countries, 73% -from developing countries of Asia (sources to table 2).
China was in 2014 and 2015 an undisputable leader in world telecommunications exports (39.6% and 40.9% of exports) that left other exporters far behind. In "top
ten" of exporters in 2014 there were also Hong Kong (China) (14.2%), the USA (7.3%), South Korea (5.6%), Vietnam (5th, 4.9%), Singapore (9th; 1.8%). Exports of telecommunications equipment from Vietnam skyrocketed in 2000-2015 from $0.04 B to $31.4 B. In 2015 the share of Vietnam in world telecommunications exports reached 6%, it became fourth in the world having outpaced South Korea ($29.9 B), an acknowledged leader on the market and home to some largest transnational corporations in the industry. But it should be mentioned in this context that South Korean TNCs, Samsung Electronics in particular, have transferred their production facilities for mobile phones manufacturing to Vietnam with its cheap workforce. Samsung Electronics has become the biggest investor in Vietnam, in 2015 it manufactured in Vietnam more mobile phones than in China5, which had been its principal production site for mobile phones assembly (wages in China have increased, they exceed wages in Vietnam). Samsung is one of the most popular brands on the smartphones and ordinary mobile phones markets. But if you examine these devices attentively, you will see that they are manufactured (or "assembled") not in South Korea, but in China or in Vietnam.
Craph4
Leading exporters of electronic components, 2014 (%)
13,1
Source: data for table 3.
The growth of world consumer electronics exports was rather slow. In 2000-2010 it increased from $105.7 B to $229.6 B, and after that was decreasing; in 2015 it amounted to $198.7 B, with its share in total ICT goods exports staying almost unchanged: 10.6% in 2000 and 10.2% in 2015. The market of TV-sets, video-, audio- and radio- equipment is highly saturated. Mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) are often used instead of radio- and even TV-sets. In 2014, 56.4% of consumer electronics exports originated from developing countries of Asia. China was the first exporter with 34.8% of world exports. Other leading exporters were Mexico (10.0%), the USA (5.7%), Hong Kong (China) (5.2%), Slovakia (3.9%), Germany (3.6%), Japan (3.5%), the Netherlands and Poland (2.8% each). Malaysia was eighth (3%), Thailand occupied the 11th rank ($5.5 B; 2.7%). In 2015 the share of China in world consumer electronics exports reached 37.3%, that of all
5 World Investment Report 2016, UN, N.Y.; Gen., 2016. P. 47.
South-East Asia countries - 8.9%, including Thailand - 2.7%, Malaysia - 2.4%, Vietnam - 1.6%, Indonesia - 1%. The volume of exports of consumer electronics from South-East Asia countries in 2000-2015 remained practically unchanged: in 2000 it amounted to $17.4 B, in 2005 - $17.3 B, in 2010 - the maximum of $22.6 B, and in 2015 decreased to the level of 2005 - $17.7 B) (calc. on tables 2, 3).
A group of ICT goods the exports of which grows constantly are electronic components for ICT goods. Its growth shows the deepening international division of labour, development of global value chains in ICT goods manufacturing. In 2000 top ten exporters of electronic components for ICT goods (EC) included the USA (1st; $66.1 B; 20.5% of world exports), Japan (2d; 14.2%). Singapore was third ($35.3 B; 11.0%). Malaysia was sixth ($18.5 B; 5.7%), after Taiwan and South Korea, Thailand was ranked ninth ($7.1 B; 2.2%), the Philippines, 11th (2.1%). China was only tenth in 2000 (2.1%). By 2010 situation on electronic components world market changed cardinally: 2/3 of electronic components exports originated from developing countries.
Graph 5
ICT Goods Exports from South-East Asia Countries by Categories:
2000 r. ($ billion)
Source: Table 3.
In 2000-2015 the share of developing countries in world electronic components for ICT goods exports increased from 45.6% to 79.3%, that of Asia developing countries - from 44.3% to 78.7%, while the share of developed countries diminished from 54.4% to 20.7%. The center of electronic components production moved to East and South-East Asia. In 2014 China was the first exporter (16.1% of world exports); Singapore (14.8%) was third in the world EC exports (in fact it was the second rank, as Hong Kong (2d) is mainly a re-exporter of electronic components). Malaysia was seventh (6.1%), its share was only slightly less than that of the USA, former leader in 2000 (6.7%), and superior to the share of Japan (5.6%). The Philippines occupied the tenth rank (2.1%) after Germany (3.3%). In 2015, 23% of world electronic components exports originated from South-East Asia, including 12.7% - from Singapore ($85.3 B; 3d), 5.5% - from Malaysia ($36.8 B), 2.6% - from the Philippines ($17.4 B), 1.5% - from Thailand ($9.9 B). The share of the leader, China, was 17.8%. The USA exported 6.5% of electronic components. Positions of South-East Asia countries on the world electronic components market show their impressive performance. On the world ICT goods market, South-East
Asia countries have become mainly electronic components exporters. They provide parts and details for further assembly of manufactured goods to each other and to East Asia countries.
In 2000 computer equipment was the main category of ICT goods exports from South-East Asia countries (41.8% of exports), it was followed by electronic components (40.2%). The share of consumer electronics amounted to 10.2%, and that of telecommunications equipment, to 4.3%. It should be taken into consideration that in 2000 mobile phones were rare and expensive, inaccessible to most part of consumers; there were no large-scale mobile phones exports at that time6.
Graph 6
ICT Goods Exports from South-East Asia Countries by Categories: 2015 ($ billion)
Source: Table 3.
In 2015 the share of electronic components in ICT goods exports from SouthEast Asia countries increased to 53.7%, that of telecommunications equipment, to 21%; while the share of computer equipment shrank to 17%, and that of consumer electronics, to 6% (calculations based on graphs 5, 6).
Graph 7
ICT Goods Exports from South-East Asia, by Countries 2000-2015 ($ billion)
Source: Table 3.
6 http://techno.bigmir.net/technology/1525696-Starye-modniki - nazvany-krutye-telefony-nachala-2000-h (10.01.2018).
At present there are 5 leading ICT goods exporters in South-East Asia: in 2015 they were Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines (by volume of exports). Singapore was the largest exporter of electronics from South-East Asia by the beginning of 1990-s and it maintains this position though its ICT goods exports in 2010-2015 diminished a little, from $121 B to $116 B. Malaysia also was a major electronics exporter by the beginning of 1990-s (the term ICT goods did not exist at that time); the country is still one of the top exporters, though its ICT goods exports declined in 2010-2015 from $68 B to $60 B. In 2005-2015 exports of ICT goods, mainly telecommunications equipment, from Vietnam skyrocketed: in 2000 and 2005 it was minimal - less than $1 B. In 2005-2010 it increased six-fold, rising from $0.9 B to $5.7 B, in 2010-2015 it again increased six-fold, to $47.6 B. In 2015 Vietnam outpaced Thailand from the third to the fourth place in the region of South-East Asia. Top 5 ICT exporters from South-East Asia also include the Philippines. Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines have been exporting electronic goods, such as TV-sets, radio-, video- and audio-equipment since the 1970-s. Vietnam rushed into the group of major exporters only after 2005, mainly in the 2010-s.
Graph 8
Exports of Computer Equipment from South-East Asia Countries: 2000-2015 ($ billion)
35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
31,9
30,5
23,1
21
20,6
20
18
J-7 16,7 16
16,3 15,3 16
18,7 13,6
18,1
T7,4- ±7:6 16,i
16,3
11,9
6,1 6,4
7,5
4
--2 2,6
2000 2M5 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
9
Malaysia Singapore Philippines Thailand Viet Nam
Source: Table 3.
Each country of South-East Asia has its own specialization in ICT goods exports, its own profile. Main exporters of computer equipment from the region are Thailand ($16.8 B in 2015, it is the major item of its ICT goods exports), Singapore ($16 B), its computer equipment exports shrank considerably; and Malaysia ($12.2 B) In 2010-2015 there was an important growth of computer equipment exports from Vietnam (from $2 B to $7.5 B), though it is not as skyrocketing as the exports of telecommunications equipment from this country.
Graph 9
Exports of Telecommunications Equipment from South-East Asia Countries, 2000-2015 ($ billion)
24,4
'21,9
0 — 0J02 " '0,04
2000 2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
31,4
✓ 13,2
10,5
• Malaysia Singapore ■ Philippines Thailand Viet Nam
--,—353—3,9 4,3
Source: Table 3.
Graph. 9 strikes our attention by skyrocketing trajectory of telecommunications equipment exports from Vietnam, starting from 2010. Singapore and Malaysia are also exporting such goods, but Vietnam has outpaced them by the volume of its exports.
Graph 10
Exports of Electronic Components from South-East Asia Countries: 2000-2015 ($ billion)
100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
91,2 92,7
85,3
35,3
.-"31,4
40,7
„------«T-^7" - 36,8
25
Malaysia Singapore Philippines Thailand Viet Nam
17,4
2000 2005 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Source: Table 3.
On the world market of ICT goods South-East Asia countries are mainly exporters of electronic components for ICT goods, in the first place thanks to Singapore. Singapore - a new industrialized country of Asia, has made a giant leap forward in its economic development, it has outpaced many Western countries by the level of its GNI per capita, by the 2010-s it passed from electronic manufactured goods exports based on their assembly to exports of electronic components for assembling manufactured goods in countries with cheap labor. The share of electronic components in ICT goods exports from Singapore increased from 46.6% in 2000 (which was already significant) to 73.5% in 2015. Virtually every key gadget today has parts created in Singapore. "You most likely own a piece of Singapore's electronics industry, from Seagate's hard disk drives and Hewlett-Packard's print heads to Energizer's iconic batteries. In fact, your smartphone's 4G connection is probably enabled by RF filters"7...
Malaysia is also an important exporter of electronic components, their share in its ICT goods exports in 2000-2015 increased from 35.8% to 61.1%. The Philippines have a 3d rank in electronic components exports from the region. The share of components in their ICT goods exports in 2015 amounted to 69.0%. The Philippines manufacture components for computer equipment, for example CD-ROM. "The Philippines provide for 50 percent of world demand for hard disc drives for computers HDD2.5 inches and 10 percent of world demand for HDD3.5 inches"8. Thailand is also an exporter of electronic components, the share of which in its ICT goods exports amounted to 28.3% in 2015 ($9.9) (calc. on table 3). Several years ago people became aware of the significance of the electronic components exports from Thailand: due to floods in the country there was a serious downtime in integrated circuits supplies and the prices for computers increased dramatically.
Other South-East Asia countries, in particular Cambodia with its cheap workforce, also start to export ICT goods, in 2015 its ICT goods exports amounted to $187 million. Will Cambodia be able to imitate the success of Vietnam?
While some South-East Asia countries step up exports of electronics, ICT goods, other countries of the region reduce their ICT goods exports orienting their production to the internal market. It is the case of Indonesia, the exports of ICT goods from which in 2000-2015 shrank from $7.6 B (4.5% of ICT goods exports from South-East Asia) to $5.3 B (1.8% of exports from South-East Asia) (sources to table 3).
South-East Asia and East Asia have become two regions among developing countries that play a major role on the world ICT goods market. They have become leading centers of computer, telecommunications, consumer electronics, and electronic components for ICT goods manufacturing. The share of these two regions in world ICT goods exports in 2015 amounted to 70.4%, with the share
7 https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/our-industries/ electronics.html (access date: 10.01.2018).
8 The Philippines electronics industry profile.23febr.2011. BOI Philippines. http://www.philexport.ph/c/ document_(ibrary/get_file?uuid=8659b363-97ff-4ffd-b7e8-364fa03c492f&groupId=127524 (access date: 14.01.2018).
of East Asia equal to 55.5% and the share of South-East Asia equal to 14.9% of world exports. The share of all other developing countries in world ICT goods exports was only 4.1%; the share of developed countries, 25.3%. ICT goods exports from transition economies (including Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus) in 2015 amounted only to $3.6 B (0.2% of world exports). In 2015 South-East Asia countries generated 13% of the world computer equipment exports, 9% of telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics exports and 23% of world exports of electronic components for ICT goods. The latter figure shows that South-East Asia countries are actively involved in global value chains in electronics industry. With the background of enormous successes of East Asia (China, in the first place), the share of South-East Asia may seem moderate. But if we compare it with other groups of countries it is very impressive. 6-7 decades ago most of these countries were backward, less developed economies, by now they have attained great success in economic development. Some of them have assumed important positions in international division of labor in electronic industry by the beginning of 1990-s. At present South-East Asia countries as a group (with some changes within their ranks) still maintain their important position in ICT goods production, despite severe competition with China and some other countries.
