M'SIA ON TRACK TO CLINCH POSITIVE GROWTH IN Q4, SAYS MINISTER

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is on track to register positive
growth in the fourth quarter of this year based on higher exports in October,
said International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed.

"We've been getting the signal since the middle of this year. We were
informed
the orders have picked up, retrenchment not too many and there were new
hiring.

"What we're seeing (October figures) is the outcome of what has been
improving
over the last few months.

"It takes a while to reflect the October numbers," he told reporters at the
celebrations of Zaid Ibrahim and Co's expansion to Sydney and Melbourne.

Mustapa said it was for the first time in many months Malaysia recorded
positive import figures by about two per cent and the highest for this year.

On monthly basis, it was the biggest increase by about 15 per cent, he
said.

Malaysia's exports rose to RM54.28 billion (US$1=RM3.41) in October, the
highest monthly exports registered over the last 10 months, underpinned by
exports of electrical and electronic products.

Total exports in October were higher than September's RM47.19 billion.

Trade surplus totalling RM11.47 billion was recorded in October, making it
the
144th consecutive month of trade surplus since November 1997.

Total trade soared by 14.1 per cent to RM97.09 billion while imports rose by
12.9 per cent to RM42.81 billion in October.

The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) said higher
exports in October were driven by electrical and electronic products, crude
petroleum, liquefied natural gas, wood products, optical and scientific
equipment and metal manufacturing.

Asked whether the increased exports could be sustained, Mustapa said it
would depend on the country's major trading partners.

However, by observation, the growth was broad based, he said.

"We see a big jump in the exports of electrical and electronic goods. All
signs indicate recovery in that sector which contributes 40 per cent to
Malaysia's total exports," he added.

-- BERNAMA