SEOUL, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- Sentiment among South Korean manufacturers advanced this month on strong demand for locally-made tech and chemical products in overseas markets, central bank data showed Friday.
The business sentiment index (BSI) for manufacturers stood at 83 in September, up 5 points from the prior month, according to the Bank of Korea (BOK). It was the highest increase in six months.
Confidence among large exporters, especially tech and chemical industries, showed a better performance thanks to solid demand for locally-made tech and chemical products.
The BSI for electronic companies jumped 8 points over the month to 107 in September, the highest in about seven years due to demand for semiconductors and the launch of new smartphones.
The index for chemical firms surged 12 points, marking the fastest monthly increase in almost five years thanks to higher crude oil prices.
Sentiment among automakers tumbled 13 points from a month earlier to 59 in September, posting the lowest since July 2009. It was attributed to weak demand for South Korean cars in China, the world's biggest auto market.
Meanwhile, the BSI among non-manufacturers rose 4 points in September from a month earlier.
