Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia’s exports totalled 61.9 billion RM (over 15.2 billion USD) in January, down 2.8 percent from the same month last year, according to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.
The ministry said the number was affected by a contraction in the export of minerals, liquefied natural gas and crude oil.
However, exports of manufactured goods grew by1.9 billion RM to 50.6 billion RM this month, accounting for nearly 82 percent of Malaysia’s total export value and up 4 percent year-on-year.
The increase was supported mainly by a higher number of exports of machinery, equipment and parts by 588.7 million RM, electrical and electronic products (up 566 million RM), metal (up 496 million RM) as well as optical and scientific equipment (up 407 million RM).
The country’s trade with ASEAN grew by 1.6 billion RM, followed by China, the US, India, Germany, Switzerland and Turkey.
During the month, imports expanded by 3.3 percent to nearly 56.5 billion RM, resulting in a trade surplus of some 5.4 billion RM.-VNA