Taiwan to hold world lead in semi-conductor spending

TAIPEI - Taiwan will hold its leading position in equipment expenditure for semiconductor manufacturing in 2013 despite a contraction in the global market, according to global industry group SEMI. Led by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. (TSMC), the world's largest contract chip maker, Taiwan is expected to invest US$10.43 billion in semiconductor equipment this year, up 9.4% from US$9.53 billion in 2012, said SEMI, the global industry association serving the manufacturing supply chain for the micro- and nano-electronics industries.