Taiwan April exports hit 15-month high

Taiwan's April export orders grew at their fastest pace since January 2013, bolstered by strong demand for tech goods and brightening the outlook for Asia's struggling export-reliant economies.

The island's semiconductor and electronic component suppliers are expected to reap benefits from new releases of smartphones and tablets in the third quarter, while subdued demand from the Chinese mainland will likely curb orders for capital goods.

Official data showed on Tuesday that the island's export orders in April grew 8.9 percent from a year earlier, an improvement from the 5.9 percent growth registered in March.