Malaysia's export growth seen surging again in May: poll

[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia's exports likely rose for the seventh straight month in May, boosted by firmer prices and stronger demand for the country's key commodities, a Reuters poll showed.

The median forecast among 11 economists surveyed was for exports in May to climb 21.3 per cent from a year earlier. Estimates, however, were in a broad range between 18.4 per cent and 32.6 per cent.

In April, exports grew 20.6 per cent.

Malaysia's imports in May were seen growing 18 percent from a year earlier, slowing from a 24.7 per cent rise in April.

May's trade surplus was expected to narrow slightly to RM7.5 billion (S$2.42 billion) from April's RM8.8 billion.

REUTERS