May 19 : Malaysia’s exports in April rose 20.7 per cent from a year earlier, above forecast,  government data showed on Thursday.

April’s exports were expected to rise 19.7 per cent, according to 13 economists surveyed in a Reuters poll.

Imports in April  grew 22 per cent from a year earlier, the data showed. Analysts were expecting a 22 per cent rise, according to 13 economists surveyed in a Reuters poll.

Malaysia’s trade surplus  in April  was 23.5 billion ringgit. Analysts had forecast a surplus of 22.7 billion ringgit.