The statistics department said exports reached RM102.3 billion (an increase of 16.8%) and imports RM82.5 billion (an increase of 18.4%).

“Higher imports were mainly by Penang (RM3.1 billion), Selangor (RM2.7 billion), Johor (RM1.7 billion), Kedah (RM1.5 billion), Sarawak (RM1.2 billion), Kuala Lumpur (RM972.5 million), Pahang (RM806.6 million), Terengganu (RM578.3 million), Negeri Sembilan (RM449.2 million), Sabah (RM273.5 million), and Perlis (RM18.2 million).

“However, imports decreased in Melaka (-RM563.5 million), Perak (-RM452.4 million), Kelantan (-RM57.0 million), and Labuan (-RM5.6 million),” chief statistician Uzir Mahidin said in a statement today, updating export-import statistics by state for February.

On the performance of exports by state, Uzir said exports in February increased RM14.7 billion, or 16.8%, compared to the same month of the previous year.

Higher exports were recorded in most states such as Penang (RM5.7 billion), Sarawak (RM3.0 billion), Kedah (RM2.2 billion), Labuan (RM1.6 billion), Selangor (RM1.5 billion), Sabah (RM1.2 billion), Johor (RM1.1 billion), Kuala Lumpur (RM1.0 billion), Pahang (RM103.8 million) and Perlis (RM23.9 million).

However, exports decreased in Melaka (-RM1.2 billion), Perak (-RM1.1 billion), Terengganu (-RM320.2 million), Kelantan (-RM199.5 million) and Negeri Sembilan (-RM31.7 million).

Percentage-wise, among the top five major importing states, Selangor remained the largest contributor with a share of 26.3%, followed by Penang (23.1%), Johor (20.2%), Kuala Lumpur (7.1%) and Kedah (6.2%).

As for exports, Penang remained the top exporter with a share of 29.6%, followed by Selangor (19.3%), Johor (18.7%), Sarawak (8.2%) and Kedah (4.8%).