Summary:
TAIPEI, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Taiwan's export orders likely rose in January for the 23rd straight month, a Reuters poll showed on Friday, supported by sustained global demand for semiconductors and tech products.
The median forecast from a poll of 13 economists expects export orders to rise 12.0% from the year-ago period. Forecasts for growth ranged from 4.1% to as high as 24.4%.
The island's export orders, a bellwether of global technology demand, rose 12.1% from a year earlier to $67.9 billion in December, the highest monthly figure on record.
Taiwan's export orders are a leading indicator of demand for hi-tech gadgets and Asian exports, and typically lead actual exports by two to three months.
The island's manufacturers, including the world's largest contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd, are a key part of the global supply chain for technology giants including Apple Inc (AAPL.O).
The data for January will be released on Monday.
