Malaysian Trade Surplus Declines Sharply On Weaker Exports

(RTTNews) - The Malaysian trade surplus decreased in November as exports fell amid a rise in imports, data from the statistical office showed on Tuesday.

The trade surplus shrank to MYR 12.4 billion in November from MYR 21.8 billion in the same month last year.

In October, the trade surplus was MYR 12.9 billion.

Exports fell 5.9 percent annually in November, which was worse than the 4.5 percent decline a month ago.

The downward trend in shipments was led by a 7.4 percent decrease in domestic exports.

Imports recovered 1.7 percent annually in November, following a 0.3 percent drop in the previous month. This was the first increase in nine months.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, both exports and imports slid by 3.2 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively, from a month earlier.