The country's trade surplus in April rose 5.1 percent from a revised RM5.67 billion in March, the trade ministry said today.

April's surplus came to RM5.96 billion, marking the 78th consecutive month of trade surpluses since November 1997, the ministry said in a statement.

Total exports in April grew 23.2 percent year-on-year and were up 1.7 percent from March to hit RM39.70 billion due to strong external demand, particularly for electrical and electronic products, optical and scientific goods, textiles and clothing, processed food, as well as rubber products and palm oil, it said.

Imports for the month rose to RM33.74 billion, up 1.1 percent from March and up 32.4 percent year-on-year.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the United States, the European Union, Japan, China and Hong Kong collectively accounted for 79 percent of Malaysia's total exports for the month.

In the January to April period, the trade surplus fell 16.5 percent year-on-year to RM22.49 billion.

Higher exports

Exports to Asean declined 3.2 percent from March to RM9.89 billion, while the US surged 17.5 percent to reach a new high of RM7.72 billion.

This was attributed to higher exports of electrical and electronic products, optical and scientific equipment and crude petroleum, it said.

Exports to the EU rose marginally higher by 0.1 percent to RM4.7 billion from March, Japan increased 0.4 percent to RM3.78 billion, and China rose by 2.8 percent to RM2.75 billion.

Exports to hong Kong declined marginally by 0.6 percent from March to RM2.53 billion, and Middle East rose 3.7 percent to RM1.14 billion. - AFP