Malaysia's trade surplus grew sharply to RM11.48 billion in April as exports jumped 20.9 percent, according to official data released today.

The April surplus was 95.8 percent higher than the same period last year, and up 43.9 percent from March, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry said.

Exports reached RM55.8 billion, a 20.9 percent increase from April 2007 and up 8.2 percent compared to March this year.

"Major product sectors which contributed to the increase in exports in April 2008 were electrical and electronics products, palm oil, crude petroleum as well as chemicals and chemical products," the ministry said.

April imports grew 10 percent from last year to RM44.32 billion and were 1.67 percent higher against March levels.

Malaysia's exports to the United States, its main trading partner, grew to RM7.89 billion in April, a 6.4 percent increase from the same period last year on higher exports of electrical and electronic products.