Capacity utilization statistics in Singapore Capacity utilization statistics was collected as a supplementary page under the Quarterly Business Expectations Surveys for the Manufacturing Sector. It was terminated after some time. The intent was to use such collected data/rates to look at the industry trend and hopefully do a better growth forecast for the manufacturing sector. There were some expectations to use it as an input of econometric models.

Capacity utilization statistics in Singapore Scope and methods used The questionnaires were sent to the establishments (< 400) in the manufacturing sector only. This was strictly by means of mailed questionnaire at that point in time Respondents were asked to –report actual production value for the quarter –estimate the value of production of their plants as if it had been operating at full production capacity for the quarter and the next two quarters.

Capacity utilization statistics in Singapore Main difficulties encountered –different interpretation of given definition –practical problem face by respondents maintenance, downtime not properly recorded work done depend on orders, irregular work schedule subcontracted work not able to separate claimed that product model changes –difficulty in editing such items items not answered inconsistent data difficult to analyse and conclude the results