Taiwan's economy could grow close to 6% this year, as the unexpectedly strong performance in Q3, supported by a boom in artificial intelligence (AI), the head of the statistics agency said on Thursday. The export-oriented economy has benefited from robust demand in the semiconductor and the sectors, which have helped offset the impact of the 20% US tariffs imposed during the Trump administration. Taiwan's GDP grew 7.64% yoy in Q3, surpassing the 6.0% forecast and paving the way for the agency to raise its full-year growth projection to more than 5%. Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics Minister Chen Shu-tzu told lawmakers that the economy could expand more than 5.5% this year, approaching 6%, according to Reuters. The agency had initially expected Q3 growth of around 1%, but the final 7.64% figure prompted the upward revision of the full-year forecasts, she added.