KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's exports grew 11.8 percent year on year to 74.45 billion ringgit (about 17.07 billion U.S. dollars) in February, official data showed Friday.
Malaysia's International Trade and Industry Ministry said in a statement that Malaysia's trade in February surged 11.6 percent year on year to 136.28 billion ringgit, as higher trade was recorded with the United States, Singapore, South Korea and China.
Exports for the month also picked up sharply as compared to a 1.5 percent decline in January.
Meanwhile, imports expanded by 11.3 percent to 61.83 billion ringgit; trade surplus stood at 12.62 billion ringgit.
As for sectors, manufactured goods which constituted 84.8 percent of total exports, expanding by 13.1 percent year on year in February, underpinned by higher shipment of iron and steel products, optical and scientific equipment, petroleum products, machinery, equipment and parts, wood products as well as processed food.
Exports of mining goods declined by 3 percent, mainly due to lower exports of crude petroleum.
Agriculture goods exports, however, jumped 15.8 percent on higher palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products shipment.
In February, Malaysia trade with China which represented 14.1 percent of Malaysia's total trade increased by 8.6 percent.
