MOEA (Ministry of Economic Affairs) said that the country's export orders inched up 0.5% year-on-year to US$36.3 billion in August, as reported by the China Times on September 26. Driven by the launch of Apple's new iPhone models, Taiwan's export orders are expected to reach US$37.0 billion in September and US$400 billion in full year 2013. Orders from China, Hong Kong, the United States, Europe, and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) members rose while those from Japan fell 14.3%. By sectors, ICT products, electronic equipment, chemical products, and basic metals all saw positive growth last month. In particular, orders for electronic equipment have expanded in three consecutive months due to the strong demand for high-end semiconductor process. 57.8% of local firms surveyed by MOEA expect a similar level of orders in September while 18.7% anticipating an increase and 23.5% forecasting a downturn.