There is a close relationship among the annual growth rate of the petrochemical industry, the overall economic growth, and the GDP in nations with mature petrochemical industry. In 2009, the economic growth rate in Taiwan is -1.87%, lower than the global average of -0.60%; its GDP in the same year is $US 37,940 million, a drop of 5.76% than the previous year. It is expected, however, that the overall economic growth rate in Taiwan will shift from negative to positive in 2010, reached 4.72%; its GDP will also grow 7.74%, to $US 40,880 million.
The petrochemical industry in Taiwan was hit hard by the financial crisis in the fourth quarter of 2008, its production value and exports & imports values dropped....