Malaysian's trade surplus up

Malaysian's trade surplus up

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's trade surplus rose in October to 4.9 billion ringgit (US$1.3 billion) from 4.8 billion ringgit the month earlier led by palm oil and oil exports, the Statistics Department said Monday.

In October, exports rose 2.2 percent to 31.9 billion ringgit from the previous month while imports also rose 2.2 percent to 27.1 billion ringgit previously, it added.

The department said September was 60th consecutive month the trade account remained in surplus.

It said the export rise was due to increases in shipments of palm oil, chemicals and chemical products, crude petroleum, liquefied natural gas (LNG), refined petroleum products, optical and scientific equipment and processed food.

It said exports of electrical and electronics products totaled 16.9 billion ringgit and contributed 52.8 percent of total exports in October.

Southeast Asia, the United States, the European Union, Japan, Hong Kong and China were top export markets during the month, collectively contributing 78.9 percent to Malaysia's total exports. -- AFP