KUALA LUMPUR: Exports in August jumped by 21.5 per cent in August compared with a year ago to RM82.23 billion, led by the continued double digit growth in electrical and electronics (E&E) segment.
Exports again exceeded the RM80 billion mark this year, for the second time.
Imports rose by 22.6 per cent to RM72.36 billion while the trade surplus widened to RM9.87 billion.
The International Trade and Industry Ministry said on a month-on-month basis, total trade, exports and imports grew by 3.6 per cent, 4.6 per cent and 2.5 per cent, respectively.
In August, the upward trend of manufactured goods exports continued, raising the share to 82.3 per cent from 81.8 per cent a year ago.
This was the eight straight month where exports of E&E products recorded a double-digit growth.
Exports of mining goods surged by 38.8 per cent driven by increased exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), underpinned by both higher Average Unit Value (AUV) and volume.
Exports of agriculture goods decreased marginally by 1.8 per cent, the first year on year decline since August 2016 due to lower exports of palm oil.
In terms of trading partners, MITI said trade with ASEAN grew by 25.9 per cent.
Exports to China hit a record high, growing by 21.2 per cent, due to higher uptake of petroleum products, manufactures of metal, chemicals and chemical products, E&E products and rubber products.
Exports to the EU sustained a double-digit growth since the start of the year, expanding by 21.6 per cent driven mainly by higher exports of manufactured goods, in particular, E&E products which cushioned the contraction in exports of both agriculture and mining goods.
Exports to the US grew by 14.5 per cent to RM7.95 billion while exports to Japan increased by 18 per cent to RM6.16 billion.