Malaysia's trade surplus rose in August from the provious month due to strong exports and falling imports, the trade ministry said Tuesday.

Malaysia posted a trade surplus of RM4.6 billion in August, up 13.6 percent from RM4.05 billion in July, the International Trade and Industry ministry (MITI) said in a statement.

August marked Malaysia's 58th consecutive monthly surplus since November

Exports rose to RM31.5 billion in August from RM30.96 billion a month earlier while imports were marginally lower at RM26.90 billion from RM26.91 billion.

Oil exports

MITI said the month-on-month increase in August exports was mainly due to increases in exports of liquefied natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum products, optical and scientific equipment and electrical and electronic products.

Electrical and electronic exports in August amounted to RM17.4 billion, up 0.3 percent from July, making up 55.4 percent of total exports.

Exports to US totalled RM6.7 billion in August, down 5.3 percent from July, with electrical and electronic products falling 4.5 percent.

In the eight months to August, the trade surplus fell to RM31.19 billion from RM35.7 billion a year earlier.