KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's trade surged in April, driven by resilient electrical and electronic (E&E) exports amid sustained global demand, official data showed on Wednesday.

A general view of North Port in Klang, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, April 23, 2026. (File photo: AP)

Total trade rose 28.6 percent year on year to 336.73 billion ringgit (about 84.7 billion U.S. dollars), the fastest growth since September 2022, supported by continued expansion in key export markets and products despite geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, higher logistics costs and supply chain disruptions, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry said in a statement.

Exports climbed 36.9 percent to 182.74 billion ringgit, setting a new monthly record, while imports increased 20 percent to 153.99 billion ringgit. This resulted in a trade surplus of 28.75 billion ringgit.

The export growth was led by E&E products, which rose by 28 billion ringgit to a record high, underpinned by strong demand from artificial intelligence applications and automotive electronics, it said.

For January to April, Malaysia's total trade rose 15.3 percent year on year to 1.13 trillion ringgit, with exports increasing 19 percent, while imports rose 11.1 percent.