Malaysia's trade surplus declined in April by 9.4 percent to RM6 billion from RM6.63 billion during the same month a year ago, official data showed today.

The April figure was also 7.9 percent lower compared with a revised RM6.52 billion in March.

Exports for April rose 0.9 percent to RM46.12 billion from RM45.71 billion in the same month last year, but were 5.8 percent lower against RM48.99 billion for March this year, the figures showed.

"The decline in April export was consistent with past trends," the Ministry of International Trade and Industry said.

"This was mainly attributable to lower exports of electrical and electronic products and to a lesser extent, chemicals and chemical products and machinery, appliances and parts," it said.

Imports up

However, exports of iron and steel products, refined petroleum products, palm oil, wood products and optical and scientific equipment rose in April from March.

The ministry said imports rose 2.6 percent from a year earlier to RM40.11 billion but were 5.5 percent lower against March.

The month-by-month fall in trade surplus for April was the fourth in a row. In January it fell 34.3 percent, while February and March posted declines of 8.8 percent and 5.9 percent respectively.

For the four months to April, the trade surplus was RM27.07 billion, down 16.5 percent from the same quarter last year, with exports up 1.0 percent to RM184.25 billion and imports rising 4.8 percent to RM150.01 billion.