Malaysia December exports seen up 1% year on year, trade surplus shrinking

[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia's trade surplus probably shrank to RM9 billion (S$3.39 billion) in December, a Reuters poll showed, with export growth slowing to 1 per cent from a year earlier due to weak world prices for its exports of oil, gas and commodities.

In November, exports went up 2.1 per cent, beating expectations as imports came in flat - boosting the trade surplus to RM11.13 billion, its highest since November 2011.

Imports were expected to increase 2.05 per cent, as economists say the government may slow down the progress of big development projects which require imported materials.

REUTERS