Malaysia's total trade for 2006 reached its highest level in the country's history after breaching the one trillion ringgit (US$306 billion) mark, the prime minister said today.

Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said trade last year surged by a record 10.5 percent to 1.069 trillion ringgit from 2005.

"This is an inspiring achievement and it reflects the increase of the country's trade flow, especially in the value of exports," Abdullah said in a statement issued by his office.

Total exports for 2006 were 588.949 billion while imports totalled 480.493 billion ringgit, said Abdullah, who is also finance minister.

Exceeds global average

"Although the country has gone through various economic challenges, especially the 1997 economic crisis, as well as the global recession in 2001 and 2002, Malaysia has weathered it well and continued to chalk up increased trade," he said.

He also said that Malaysia's 10.5 percent increase in trade for 2006 had exceeded the global average estimated by the World Trade Organisation.

Malaysia also recorded its highest annual trade surplus of 108.456 billion for the year.

The Ministry of International Trade and Industry is due to review Malaysia's trade performance for 2006 on Friday.