KUALA LUMPUR: Exports in May chalked a 32.5 per cent annualised growth led by strong demand for Malaysian manufactured goods, palm oil and crude petroleum.
The International Trade and Industry Ministry said imports increased by 30.4 per cent, resulting in a trade surplus of RM5.49 billion.
On a month-on-month basis, total trade, exports and imports expanded by 10.2 per cent, 7.5 per cent and 13.3 per cent, respectively.
Markets like China saw exports record the highest year-on-year growth since February 2010, with a 51.5 per cent surge.
According to MITI, exports of manufactured goods grew by RM16.43 billion or 32.7 per cent to RM66.61 billion compared to RM50.18 billion in the corresponding month a year ago.
"The higher exports was on account of increased exports of electrical and electronic (E&E) products, petroleum products, chemicals and chemical products, rubber products, iron and steel products, machinery, equipment and parts as well as manufactures of metal."
Higher exports of palm oil (25 per cent) contributed to stronger exports of agriculture goods.
Similarly higher exports of crude petroleum supported mining exports growth to climb by 32 per cent.
Apart from a double digit growth to Asean markets, a similar growth was seen to the European Union and United States.