Exports from Malaysia dropped sharply in February, the first reduction since August as trade with most of its partners slowed down.
Exports fell 5.3% in February compared with a year earlier, below the 1.4% rise forecast. In January, exports grew 3.1%.
The slowdown in exports was largely caused by slower demand for petroleum products, manufacture of metals and optical and scientific equipment. Exports of mining goods fell 5.5% year-on-year in Feb.
Shipments of manufactured goods, which made up 83.8% of total exports, fell by 4.3%.