Malaysia posted its 84th consecutive trade surplus in October amid "buoyant" conditions, the government said today.

The October trade surplus grew 18.1 percent year-on-year and 9.0 percent month-on-month to RM7.98 billion, it said.

Total exports in October was marginally lower month-on-month, falling to RM44.17 billion from RM44.38 billion in September, but were up 18.7 percent year-on-year, it said.

Despite the decline, exports in October were the second highest monthly figures recorded this year, it added.

Growing imports

Imports in the month grew 18.9 percent year-on-year to RM36.19 billion.

The growth in October exports was led by electrical and electronic products, crude petroleum, chemicals and chemical products, liquiefied natural gas and iron and steel products.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the United States, the European Union, Japan, China and Hong Kong collectively accounted for 78 percent of Malaysia's total exports for October.

In the January to October period, the trade surplus stood at RM68.04 billion, compared with RM67.98 billion in the same period in 2003.