KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's exports surged 31 percent year on year to 104.95 billion ringgit (about 25.58 billion U.S. dollars) in March in the strongest growth in nearly four years, boosted by higher global demand for electrical and electronic (E&E) products as well as rubber products, official data showed Wednesday.

Malaysia's International Trade and Industry Ministry said in a statement that the exports were driven by higher demand for semiconductors used in 5G technology and high-performance computing, as well as rubber products.

Exports to major markets namely the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), China, the United States and the European Union (EU) registered a new all-time high, it said.

Malaysia's total trade, meanwhile, expanded by 25.6 percent year on year to 185.74 billion ringgit. Imports increased by 19.2 percent to 80.79 billion ringgit and the trade surplus soared 96.1 percent to 24.15 billion ringgit.

Exports of manufactured goods in March grew 34.9 percent year on year, mainly supported by higher shipments of E&E products, rubber products, manufactures of metal, chemicals and chemical products as well as machinery, equipment and parts.

Exports of agriculture goods surged by 43.8 percent, buoyed mainly by higher exports of palm oil and palm oil-based agriculture products.

Exports of mining goods, however, declined by 24.1 percent on account of lower exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude petroleum as well as metalliferous ores and metal scrap.

In March, Malaysia's trade with its largest trading partner China surged by 36.1 percent year on year to 33.86 billion ringgit, representing 18.2 percent of Malaysia's total trade.

Exports to China recorded double-digit growth for five consecutive months, surged by 46.6 percent to 16.07 billion ringgit on higher exports of E&E products, manufactures of metal as well as iron and steel products.

Imports from China, meanwhile, expanded by 27.8 percent to 17.8 billion ringgit.

Malaysia's trade with China during the period of January to March also expanded by 31.3 percent to 92.53 billion ringgit compared to the same period of 2020.

Exports surged 36.3 percent to 41.99 billion ringgit, boosted by higher exports of E&E products, manufactures of metal as well as iron and steel products. Imports from China for the period rose by 27.3 percent to 50.53 billion ringgit.

Malaysia's total trade for the first quarter increased by 14.8 percent year on year to 505.65 billion ringgit, with exports rising 18.2 percent to 282.14 billion ringgit, and imports increasing by 10.8 percent to 223.51 billion ringgit. Trade surplus expanded by 58.6 percent to 58.63 billion ringgit. Enditem

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