KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's exports expanded by 16.4 percent year-on-year to 133.56 billion ringgit (31.15 billion U.S. dollars) in April, driven by robust demand for manufactured goods, particularly electrical and electronic (E&E) products, official data showed Tuesday.
Exports of manufactured goods, which comprised 86.7 percent of total exports, rose for the seventh consecutive month, by 19 percent year-on-year to 115.82 billion ringgit, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) said in a statement.
The increase was contributed by strong demand for E&E products, machinery, equipment and parts as well as processed food.
Another equally important sector was agricultural goods, especially palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products, which also played a significant role in supporting the overall expansion in exports.
In terms of markets, strong export growth was posted to major trading partners, namely the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, the United States, and the European Union.
Meanwhile, Malaysia's trade rose 18.2 percent year-on-year to 261.94 billion ringgit in April.
Its imports were up by 20 percent to 128.37 billion ringgit. Trade surplus for the month reached 5.19 billion ringgit.
As for the period January to April, Malaysia's trade was up by 7.2 percent year-on-year to 977.61 billion ringgit.
During the period, its exports rose 7.3 percent to 511.92 billion ringgit while imports climbed 7 percent to 465.69 billion ringgit.
Malaysia's trade surplus, therefore, recorded double-digit growth of 10.4 percent to 46.23 billion ringgit.
In recognition of how global trade challenges may hamper the pace of growth, MITI said the ministry and its export promotion agency, MATRADE, are intensifying efforts to increase exports while also diversifying Malaysia's export destinations.
In addition to maintaining strong ties with established trade partners, MATRADE is actively exploring emerging markets through strategic initiatives such as international trade fairs, export acceleration missions, and business matching programs. (1 ringgit equals 0.23 U.S. dollars) ■
