Malaysia's exports beat expectations to rebound, stronger in November

KUALA LUMPUR (REUTERS) - Malaysia's exports climbed 3.3 per cent in November, buoyed by stronger demand from the United States and China that helped the trade-dependent country recover from a dismal performance in the previous month.

The rise in exports beat expectations, as a Reuters poll of 14 economists had forecast export growth of 2.6 per cent.

Economists said a year-end pick-up in demand from major trading partners gave the south-east Asian country the boost it needed to recover from a 3.2 per cent slump in October.

"Much of the rise in exports for November could be driven by the year-end festivity related demand," said Bank Islam chief economist Azrul Azwar Ahmad Tajudin in Kuala Lumpur.