Domestic machinery orders in the private-sector in July fell a seasonally adjusted 11.7 percent from the previous month, following a rise of 14.4 percent in June, the Economic Planning Agency said Friday.
The drop was the largest since a 14.3 percent fall in March 1997.
An agency official said July's retreat was of no concern, as machinery orders are prone to fluctuations and the figures must be seen on a long-term basis.