Exports up, but economist not impressed given ringgit's dive

Kuala Lumpur

MALAYSIA'S November exports grew by 6.3 per cent year on year to RM67.63 billion (S$22 billion), but an economist has called the trade volume humdrum - despite the battered ringgit having made Malaysian goods much cheaper overseas.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BOAML) Asean economist Chua Hak Bin said: "Despite the massive devaluation in the ringgit, the demand for exports is still muted."

With global demand remaining weak and commodity prices depressed, a bigger fall in the local currency could "make a more meaningful impact" on exports, as other countries a…