Good news on the economic front: economy expanding fast

The International Herald Tribune reports that Taiwan's economy expanded rapidly in the fourth quarter:

Taiwan's economy expanded in the fourth quarter at the fastest pace in 18 months as electronics exports jumped and falling unemployment spurred spending at home, the government said Thursday.

Gross domestic product rose 6.4 percent from a year earlier after climbing 4.38 percent in the third quarter, the statistics bureau said.

In a separate report, Taiwan's export orders rose in January at the slowest pace in six months.

Orders, indicative of actual shipments within three months, gained 20 percent from a year earlier after climbing 24 percent in December, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said.

[Taiwan]