Malaysia's export growth rose unexpectedly in June, driven by higher demand for manufactured goods from the United States, which offset the hit to the oil-producing country's commodities shipments. Exports in June grew 3.4 percent from a year earlier, data from the International Trade and Industry Ministry showed on Friday, a stark contrast to economists' estimates of a 4.2 percent decline.
In May, exports slid 0.9 percent, hit by the effects of weak global oil prices. Malaysia's exports to the US jumped 22 percent in June, the highest on-year growth recorded this year, on higher shipments of electrical and electronic products, as well as optical and scientific equipment.