Malaysia's trade surplus declined in March, falling by 29.8 percent to RM6.73 billion compared to RM9.58 billion a year earlier, official data showed today.

The trade surplus also declined on a month-by-month basis, dropping by 2.99 percent in March compared with the revised RM6.93 billion seen in February, according to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

Compared to a year ago, exports in March were 4.3 percent lower at RM49.08 billion.

"The decline in exports was mainly attributed to electrical and electronic products and crude petroleum," it said.

Imports were at RM42.35 billion in March, 1.6 percent higher than a year ago, it said in a statement.

Third in a row

On a month-by-month basis, the March decline was the third in a row, with Malaysia's trade surplus lower by 33.92 percent in January, and 8.85 lower in February.

Exports were 19.4 percent higher in March compared to February, with the increase supported by electrical and electronic products, chemicals and chemical products, refined petroleum products, palm oil and machinery.

Imports in March were 24 percent higher compared to February, with increases in intermediate, capital and consumption goods, the ministry said.

In the first quarter of 2007, total trade amounted to RM255.17 billion, an increase of 3.0 percent compared to the same period last year.

Over the first quarter, exports increased by 1.1 percent to RM138.22 billion compared to the same period in 2006, while imports grew 5.4 percent to RM116.95 billion.