07/10/2014 (NASDAQ) - Malaysia's August exports rose 1.7% from a year earlier, official data showed Tuesday, mainly driven by demand for electronics from advanced economies even as shipments to China slumped.

A Wall Street Journal poll of seven economists had predicted a median 1.4% year-over-year contraction in exports. In July, exports expanded 0.6% from a year earlier.

Exports totaled 63.88 billion ringgit ($19.59 billion) in August compared with MYR62.80 billion during the same month last year, the Ministry of International Trade and Industries said in a statement.

In July, exports to Japan, European Union countries and the U.S. increased 10.3%, 5.7%, and 6.3% respectively, while shipments to China shrank 21.9%.

In terms of products, the key electrical and electronics products, which make up about one-third of total exports, grew 3.7% from a year earlier to MYR761.8 million. Shipments of liquefied natural gas climbed 3.8% in August though petroleum products and palm oil fell 26% and 3.7% respectively.

Imports in August increased 7.6% to MYR60.02 billion from a year earlier, the ministry said. This compares to the same WSJ poll which had predicted a median rise of 0.7% and July's 0.7% on-year contraction.

Imports of intermediate goods--unfinished parts such as circuit boards and automotive components used in final assembly of computers and cars--rose 19.8% in August from a year earlier. Capital goods was 9.9% higher while consumption goods increased 8.4%.

Malaysia's trade surplus widened to MYR3.86 billion compared to July's surplus of MYR3.64 billion, the ministry added.