Exports likely grew over 20pc

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s exports likely grew by over 20 per cent in March compared with a year ago, said economists.

An NST Business poll expects exports to grow by 20.58 per cent, imports by 27.88 per cent and the trade balance to average at RM9.48 billion.

The International Trade and Industry Ministry will release the data today.

Standard Chartered Bank economist Edward Lee said he expected the exports data to ease from the robust 26.5 per cent in February due to unfavourable base effects.

Lee said Malaysia’s export volumes had picked up since the end of last year, with the three-month moving average increasing to 10.1 per cent year-on-year in February, the highest in 15 months.

Imports were stronger than expected in January-February on a pick-up in capital and intermediate goods. Rupa Damodaran