KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 20 Reuters Malaysia39;s exports rose 1.6 from a year earlier in January, slower than expected, government data showed on Monday.

January39;s exports had been forecast to expand 7.4, according to 10 economists surveyed by Reuters.

Imports in January grew 2.3 from a year earlier, data from the International Trade and Industry Ministry showed. Analysts were expecting an annual increase of 10.1.

Malaysia recorded a trade surplus of 18.16 billion ringgit 4.10 billion in January, narrowing from a revised surplus figure of 28.14 billion ringgit the previous month.

1 4.4300 ringgit

Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by Kanupriya Kapoor

Source Reuters