Malaysia's Trade in May 2010

Malaysia Exports Rise at Slowest Pace Since February as Asia Rebound Cools
By Shamim Adam - Jul 2, 2010
Malaysia’s exports rose at the slowest pace in three months as sales to Europe and China eased, adding to evidence the region’s rebound may have peaked.
Overseas shipments rose 21.9 percent in May from a year earlier to 52.3 billion ringgit ($16.2 billion) after gaining 26.6 percent in April, the trade ministry said in a statement in Kuala Lumpur today. The median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of 14 economists was for a 26.6 percent increase.
Households are holding back spending in some of the world’s largest economies and their governments are cutting outlays to trim budget deficits, suggesting global growth may slow after rebounding from last year’s recession. Malaysia’s strengthening currency probably also hurt demand, according to Citigroup Inc., threatening orders for goods by exporters including Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd. and Sime Darby Bhd.
“While exports continue to expand at a double-digit pace in May, the moderation in growth rate suggests to us that Malaysian export growth could have already peaked in the first quarter of 2010,” Alvin Liew, an economist at Standard Chartered Plc in Singapore, said before the report. “Problems brewing in Europe and easing Chinese appetite could be reasons.”
In China, manufacturing growth slowed more than economists forecast in June, and a gauge of factory output in the 16-member euro region weakened for a second month, two surveys showed yesterday. The U.S. Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index fell more than economists forecast to 56.2 from 59.7 in May.
Ringgit Climbs
The Malaysian ringgit is Asia’s biggest gainer against the U.S. dollar and the euro this year. It has climbed 6.2 percent against the dollar and gained 22 percent against the common European currency.
“The appreciating Malaysian ringgit, which peaked in April-May, had likely affected exports competitiveness momentarily,” Kit Wei Zheng, an economist at Citigroup in Singapore, said before the report.
The currency’s appreciation is orderly and reflects the nation’s “improving economic conditions,” central bank Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz told Market News International last month.
Malaysia’s imports rose 34.2 percent in May from a year earlier. The trade surplus narrowed to 8.1 billion ringgit from 9.3 billion ringgit in April.
The country’s exports to the U.S., China and Europe fell in May from April, today’s report showed.
To contact the reporter on this story: Shamim Adam in Singapore at sadam2@bloomberg.net



Malaysia exports jump 21.9pc in May
BTimes

2010/07/02
Malaysia said today its exports, the mainstay of the economy, had jumped 21.9 per cent year-on-year in May due to stronger demand for electronic goods.

The trade ministry said in a statement that shipments had risen to RM52.3 billion, while imports were up 34.2 per cent at
RM44.15 billion, producing a surplus of RM8.14 billion.

The increase was due to higher exports of electrical and electronic products, liquefied natural gas, crude petroleum, chemical products and palm oil, among others.

Electrical and electronic items account for more than a third of Malaysia’s total exports to markets such as Singapore, China, Japan, the United States and Thailand.

Export-dependent Malaysia, Southeast Asia’s third-largest economy, was hit hard by the global slowdown and its economy shrank 1.7 per cent last year.

The economy is forecast to grow 5.5 per cent this year, but Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said last month he was aiming for 6 per cent this year, as he unveiled a US$69-billion development plan aimed at spurring growth.

Malaysia also expects exports to grow between six and seven per cent this year as demand improves. Exports dipped 16.6 per cent in 2009. - AFP


Malaysia’s May Exports Rise at Slowest Pace in Three Months
July 02, 2010, 6:16 AM EDT
More From Businessweek
By Shamim Adam
July 2 (Bloomberg) -- Malaysia’s exports rose at the slowest pace in three months as sales to Europe and China eased, adding to evidence the region’s rebound may have peaked.
Households are holding back spending in some of the world’s largest economies and their governments are cutting outlays to trim budget deficits, suggesting global growth may slow after rebounding from last year’s recession. Malaysia’s strengthening currency probably also hurt demand, according to Citigroup Inc., threatening orders for goods by exporters including Malaysian Pacific Industries Bhd. and Sime Darby Bhd.
“While exports continue to expand at a double-digit pace in May, the moderation in growth rate suggests to us that Malaysian export growth could have already peaked in the first quarter of 2010,” Alvin Liew, an economist at Standard Chartered Plc in Singapore, said before the report. “Problems brewing in Europe and easing Chinese appetite could be reasons.”
In China, manufacturing growth slowed more than economists forecast in June, and a gauge of factory output in the 16-member euro region weakened for a second month, two surveys showed yesterday. The U.S. Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index fell more than economists forecast to 56.2 from 59.7 in May.
Ringgit Climbs
The Malaysian ringgit is Asia’s biggest gainer against the U.S. dollar and the euro this year. It has climbed 6.2 percent against the dollar and gained 22 percent against the common European currency.
“The appreciating Malaysian ringgit, which peaked in April-May, had likely affected exports competitiveness momentarily,” Kit Wei Zheng, an economist at Citigroup in Singapore, said before the report.
The currency’s appreciation is orderly and reflects the nation’s “improving economic conditions,” central bank Governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz told Market News International last month.
Malaysia’s imports rose 34.2 percent in May from a year earlier. The trade surplus narrowed to 8.1 billion ringgit from 9.3 billion ringgit in April.
The country’s exports to the U.S., China and Europe fell in May from April, today’s report showed.
--With assistance from Michael Munoz in Hong Kong. Editors: Stephanie Phang, Cherian Thomas
To contact the reporter on this story: Shamim Adam in Singapore at sadam2@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Chris Anstey at canstey@bloomberg.net


Malaysia’s exports increase in May
Last Update: July 02, 2010 14:47 ET

http://www.livetradingnews.com/malaysias-exports-increase-in-may-16057.htm
Malaysia’s total exports in May 2010 registered an increase of 21.9% compared with May 2009 to 52.3 billion Ringgit (US$16.19B), according to a statement Friday.
The increase in exports of 9.38 billion Ringgit (US$2.90B) was largely due to higher exports of electrical and electronic products, liquefied Nat Gas and Crude Petroleum, the Malaysian Statistics Department said in the statement.
According to the department, export values of the said items increased by 2.28 billion ringgit (US$705.88M), 1. 56 billion Ringgit (US$482.97B) and 1.35 billion Ringgit (US$417.96M).
The top 5 export destinations for Malaysia were Singapore, China, Japan, the United States and Thailand, accounting for 51.3% of Malaysia’s total exports.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s total imports surged by 34.2% to 44.15 billion Ringgit (US$13.67B) due mainly to higher imports of intermediate and capital goods.—Paul A. Ebeling, Jnr. www.livetradingnews.com

Malaysia exports jump 22pc in May

Saturday, 03 Jul, 2010
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/business/malaysia-exports-jump-22pc-in-may-370

KUALA LUMPUR, July 2: Malaysia said on Friday its exports, the mainstay of the economy, had jumped 21.9 per cent year-on-year in May due to stronger demand for electronic goods.

The trade ministry said in a statement that shipments had risen to 52.3 billion ringgit ($16.2 billion), while imports were up 34.2 per cent at 44.15 billion ringgit, producing a surplus of 8.14 billion ringgit.

The increase was due to higher exports of electrical and electronic products, liquefied natural gas, crude petroleum, chemical products and palm oil, among others.

Electrical and electronic items account for more than a third of Malaysia’s total exports to markets such as Singapore, China, Japan, the United States and Thailand.

Export-dependent Malaysia, Southeast Asia’s third-largest economy, was hit hard by the global slowdown and its economy shrank 1.7 per cent last year.

The economy is forecast to grow 5.5 per cent this year, but Prime Minister Najib Razak said last month he was aiming for 6 per cent this year, as he unveiled a $69 billion development plan aimed at spurring growth. Malaysia also expects exports to grow between six and seven per cent this year as demand improves. Exports dipped 16.6 per cent in 2009.—AFP

Malaysian Exports Rise At Slower Pace In May
7/2/2010 11:03 AM ET
http://www.rttnews.com/Content/AsianEconomicNews.aspx?Node=B2&Id=1350404
RTTNews) - Malaysian exports increased 21.9% year-on-year in May, driven by strong demand for the country's electronic goods, the Department of Statistics said Friday. However, the rate of growth slowed compared to April.

In May, total shipments amounted to MYR 52.3 billion. Economists expected export growth to remain unchanged from April's 26.6%.

The country recorded a trade surplus of MYR 8.14 billion, down from MYR 9.27 billion in April. Malaysia recorded a trade surplus for the 151st month in a row, the statistical agency said. Meanwhile, total trade expanded 27.2% annually.

Shipments of electrical and electronic products increased 12.8% year-on-year and had the biggest impact on overall export growth. Exports of liquefied natural gas increased 92% and exports of crude petroleum rose 71.9%. Shipments of refined petroleum products were up 45.2%.

Singapore, China, Japan, the U.S and Thailand were the top five export destinations for the country, accounting for 51.3% of the total exports during May. Exports to ASEAN nations, with a 25.9% share, increased 16.7% from a year ago. Shipments to the EU rose 14.2% year-on-year.

Malaysia's imports surged 34.2% to reach MYR 44.15 billion during the month, mainly due to higher imports of intermediate and capital goods. The expected increase was only 33%.

Imports of intermediate goods amounted to MYR 30.72 billion or 69.6% of total imports. China accounted for the major share of Malaysia's imports, with imports from the country totaling MYR 5.35 billion.

Compared with April 2010, exports and imports increased by 0.5% and 3.3%, respectively. This contributed to the increase of total trade by 1.8%.

During the period of January to May, total trade increased 30.2% to MYR 69.72 billion. Exports expanded 28% to MYR 263.03 billion, while imports rose 33.1% to MYR 206.69 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of MYR 56.34 billion.

Malaysia's economy grew at the fastest pace in a decade in the first quarter, prompting the central bank to hike its key interest rate for the second time this year. Gross domestic product rose 10.1% year-on-year in the first three months. That was the largest expansion since the first quarter of 2000, when the economy expanded 11.7%.

Simultaneously, Bank Negara Malaysia raised its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.5%, stating that the first quarter growth affirms that the economic recovery is firmly established.

by RTT Staff Writer
Malaysia exports jump 21.9 percent in May
By Agence France-Presse, Updated: 7/2/2010

Malaysia said Friday its exports, the mainstay of the economy, had jumped 21.9 percent year-on-year in May due to stronger demand for electronic goods.
The trade ministry said in a statement that shipments had risen to 52.3 billion ringgit (16.2 billion dollars), while imports were up 34.2 percent at 44.15 billion ringgit, producing a surplus of 8.14 billion ringgit.
The increase was due to higher exports of electrical and electronic products, liquefied natural gas, crude petroleum, chemical products and palm oil, among others.
Electrical and electronic items account for more than a third of Malaysia's total exports to markets such as Singapore, China, Japan, the United States and Thailand.
Export-dependent Malaysia, Southeast Asia's third-largest economy, was hit hard by the global slowdown and its economy shrank 1.7 percent last year.
The economy is forecast to grow 5.5 percent this year, but Prime Minister Najib Razak said last month he was aiming for 6.0 percent this year, as he unveiled a 69-billion-dollar development plan aimed at spurring growth.
Malaysia also expects exports to grow between six and seven percent this year as demand improves. Exports dipped 16.6 percent in 2009.


151 months of trade surplus, exports up 21.9pc in May


2010/07/03
MALAYSIA registered a trade surplus of RM8.14 billion in May, making it the 151st consecutive month of surplus since November 1997.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said that exports rose 21.9 per cent, or RM52.3 billion, year on year, while imports increased 34.2 per cent to RM44.15 billion.

Trade in May was up 27.2 per cent to RM96.45 billion, he said in a preliminary release from the ministry in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Month on month, exports and imports were up 0.5 per cent and 3.3 per cent respectively, increasing the total trade by 1.8 per cent, he added.

Mustapa said the increase in exports of RM9.38 billion from a year ago was driven by higher exports of electrical and electronic (E&E) products, up 12.8 per cent, or RM2.28 billion.

Other contributors were liquefied natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum products, chemicals and chemical products, and palm oil.

Singapore, China, Japan, the US and Thailand were the top five export destinations, accounting for 51.3 per cent of Malaysia's exports.

Exports to Asean, valued at RM13.52 billion, were 16.7 per cent higher from a year ago, accounting for 25.9 per cent of total exports in May.

However, month-on-month exports to Asean were down 0.4 per cent.

Total imports rose 34.2 per cent to RM44.15 billion year on year, attributed mainly to higher imports of intermediate and capital goods.

Major imports were E&E products valued at RM15.91 billion, or 36 per cent of total imports; chemicals and chemical products, machinery, appliances and parts, transport equipment, manufactures of metal and refined petroleum products.

Imports from Asean were worth RM11.59 billion, or 26.3 per cent of total imports, Mustapa said.

During the January-May period, total trade increased 30.2 per cent to RM469.72 billion. Exports climbed to RM263.03 billion, while imports rose 33.1 per cent to RM206.69 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of RM56.34 billion. - Bernama


(RTTNews) - Malaysia's exports grew at a slower pace in May, data from Department of Statistics showed Friday. Exports rose 21.9% from the previous year to MYR 52.3 billion. Economists had expected the growth to stay unchanged at 26.6% in May. The increase in exports was largely contributed by higher exports of electrical and electronic products.
Growth in imports, at the same time, accelerated to 34.2% annually from around 27%. The expected increase was only 33%. On a monthly comparison, exports and imports increased 0.5% and 3.3%, respectively. This has contributed to the increase of total trade by 1.8%.
Exports totaled MYR 52.3 billion and imports stood at MYR 44.15 billion, resulting in a surplus of MYR 8.14 billion. The trade balance registered its 151st consecutive month of surplus since November 1997. The trade surplus for May stood below April's MYR 9.22 billion.
Data showed that total trade increased by 30.2% to MYR 469.72 billion during the period of January to May. Exports expanded by 28%, while imports rose 33.1%, resulting in a trade surplus of MYR 56.34 billion
Malaysia's exports increase in May

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/business/2010-07/02/c_13381273_2.htm


English.news.cn 2010-07-02 19:31:06
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KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's total exports in May 2010 registered an increase of 21.9 percent compared with May 2009 to 52.3 billion ringgit (16.19 billion U.S. dollars), according to a statement Friday.
The increase in exports of 9.38 billion ringgit (2.90 billion U. S. dollars) was largely due to higher exports of electrical and electronic products, liquefied natural gas and crude petroleum, the Malaysian Statistics Department said in the statement.
According to the department, export values of the said items increased by 2.28 billion ringgit (705.88 million U.S. dollars), 1. 56 billion ringgit (482.97 million U.S. dollars) and 1.35 billion ringgit (417.96 million U.S. dollars).
The top five export destinations for Malaysia were Singapore, China, Japan, the United States and Thailand, accounting for 51.3 percent of Malaysia's total exports.
Meanwhile, Malaysia's total imports surged by 34.2 percent to 44.15 billion ringgit (13.67 billion U.S. dollars) due mainly to higher imports of intermediate and capital goods.
The department said that intermediate goods accounted for 69.6 percent of the country's total imports, followed by capital goods (14.4 percent) and consumption goods (6.2 percent). The top five import sources for Malaysia were China, Japan, Singapore, the United States and Thailand, accounting for 50.5 percent of the country's total imports.
Malaysia's total trade in May 2010 expanded by 27.2 percent to 96.45 billion ringgit (29.86 billion U.S. dollars) with a trade surplus valued at 8.14 billion ringgit (2.52 billion U.S. dollars).
This was also the 151st consecutive month of trade surplus for the country since November 1997, said the department.