The country's trade surplus rose in October to RM4.9 billion from RM4.8 billion the month earlier led by palm oil and oil exports, the Statistics Department said today.

In October, exports rose 2.2 percent to RM31.9 billion from the previous month while imports also rose 2.2 percent to RM27.1 billion previously, it added.

The department said September was 60th consecutive month the trade account remained in surplus.

It said the export rise was due to increases in shipments of palm oil, chemicals and chemical products, crude petroleum, liquefied natural gas (LNG), refined petroleum products, optical and scientific equipment and processed food.

It said exports of electrical and electronics products totaled 16.9 billion ringgit and contributed 52.8 percent of total exports in October.