According to MOF (Ministry of Finance), Taiwan's export value in 2013 climbed to the second-highest level in history at US$303.2 billion, up 0.7% year on year, with trade surplus reaching a record high of US$33.1 billion, as reported by the Commercial Times on January 8. Electronic products totaled US$86 billion, taking up the largest share of 28.4% in the overall outbound shipments. Exports of machinery, plastic products, and basic metals all continued to grow steadily. Imports of capital equipment in December hit the third-highest level to stand at US$4.1 billion, thanks to semiconductor equipment procurement, heralding a recovery in private sector investments and growth of electronic products exports in coming quarters, said the ministry.