Singapore’s industrial production rose at the fastest pace in six months as electronics and pharmaceutical manufacturers increased output to meet demand.

Manufacturing, which accounts for about a quarter of the economy, climbed 39.8% in November from a year earlier, after a revised 29.8% increase in October, the Economic Development Board said in a statement today. The median estimate of 14 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News was for a 32.8% gain.

Asian economies have led a global recovery this year that’s been restrained by sovereign credit woes in Europe and a US job market where unemployment has exceeded 9% since May 2009. Singapore is forecasting a record economic expansion in 2010 even after gross domestic product contracted last quarter as manufacturing growth slowed.

“There is more confidence that global export demand is on a recovery trajectory and that will continue to benefit Singapore and other Asian countries,” David Cohen, Singapore-based head of Asian forecasting at Action Economics, said before the release. “While there will still be month-to-month volatility, Singapore’s industrial production and export outlook is expected to remain healthy.”