SINGAPORE, Feb 16 Reuters Singapore39;s nonoil domestic exports grew 16.8 in January from the same month a year earlier, official data showed on Friday, aided by growth in both electronic and nonelectronic products.

Last month39;s increase compared with a Reuters poll forecast of 5.4 growth, reversing the 1.5 contraction seen in December.

In a press release, Entreprise Singapore said the expansion came from the low base a year ago.

Nonoil domestic exports amounted to S13.3 billion 9.88 billion in January last year, compared to S15.5 billion last month.

The expansion continued the growth seen in November, when nonoil domestic exports grew 1 after falling for 13 consecutive months.

On a monthonmonth seasonally adjusted basis, nonoil domestic exports grew 2.3 in January, after declining 2.8 in December.

Nonoil exports to the top markets as a whole rose in January.

The biggest expansion was in shipments to China, which grew 101.3 from a year earlier with higher exports of specialised machinery, nonmonetary gold and measuring instruments.

1 1.3460 Singapore dollars

Reporting by Xinghui Kok Edting by Ed Davies

Source Reuters