Malaysia's trade surplus jumps
Tuesday, 5 August 2008
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 (AFP): Malaysia's trade surplus rose by almost 50 per cent in June to around four billion dollars compared with a year earlier, official figures showed today.
The positive balance of 12.97 billion ringgit came after exports jumped 18.4 per cent and represented the 128th consecutive month of trade surplus since November 1997, the ministry of international trade and industry said.
"Major product sectors which contributed to the increase in exports were palm oil, refined petroleum products, crude petroleum, electric and electronic products and liquefied natural gas," the ministry said.
The June surplus was 47.7 per cent higher than the same period last year. Exports reached 58.23 billion ringgit, up nearly 19 per cent from June 2007, but fell 4.6 per cent from May this year.
June imports grew 12.1 from last year to 45.26 billion ringgit and were 0.73 per cent lower against May levels.
The positive balance of 12.97 billion ringgit came after exports jumped 18.4 per cent and represented the 128th consecutive month of trade surplus since November 1997, the ministry of international trade and industry said.
"Major product sectors which contributed to the increase in exports were palm oil, refined petroleum products, crude petroleum, electric and electronic products and liquefied natural gas," the ministry said.
The June surplus was 47.7 per cent higher than the same period last year. Exports reached 58.23 billion ringgit, up nearly 19 per cent from June 2007, but fell 4.6 per cent from May this year.
June imports grew 12.1 from last year to 45.26 billion ringgit and were 0.73 per cent lower against May levels.