KUALA LUMPUR (May 6): Malaysia's March exports grew 0.2% to RM66.6 billion from a year earlier, led by oil palm-based sales as crude oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) exports fell.

In a statement today, the Statistics Department said oil palm-based exports rose 6.7%. Timber and electrical and electronic item sales climbed 5.5% and 0.4% respectively.

The department said LNG and crude petroleum exports dropped 43.7% and 9.1% respectively, while natural rubber sales declined 19.5%. Refined petroleum exports however rose 2.3%.

The country's March export's 0.2% on-year growth slowed from the 6.7% expansion in February.

March imports fell from a year earlier. The department said imports decreased 5.5% to RM55.4 billion, mainly on less intermediate and capital goods purchases.

According to the department, intermediate and capital goods imports fell 8.3% and 22.2% respectively.

Intermediate goods include fuel, lubricant and industrial supplies, while capital items include transport equipment.

March export and import numbers translated into total trade of RM122 billion, a 2.5% fall from a year earlier.

"In March 2016, a trade surplus of RM11.2 billion was recorded, an expansion of RM3.8 billion or 52.2% from the previous month. It also recorded an increase of RM3.4 billion or 43.1% from a year ago," the department said.