Malaysian exports likely to have grown in February, trade surplus to have narrowed slightly

Malaysian trade data for the month of February is set to release tomorrow. According to a DBS Bank research report, exports are likely to have risen 6.8 percent year-on-year, while imports are expected to have grown 6 percent in the month. This should bring overall trade surplus to MYR 10.1 billion from MYR 11.5 billion previously.

Though the base effect from the Lunar New Year might have given some arithmetic lift, purchasing managers probably have cut back on their purchases by more than require due to trade war concerns.

“But positive signs are emerging from the trade talk between the US and China. This is expected to lift sentiments, which could potentially boost export performance”, added DBS Bank.