Malaysia's exports in February grew 14.5 percent year-on-year to 56.9 billion ringgit ( 18.5 billion U.S. dollars) driven by higher shipments of electrical and electronics products, crude petroleum, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and timber products.

The International Trade ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that higher exports in February was contributed by demand from Singapore, China, Australia, Japan and Indonesia.

Exports of crude petroleum expanded the most at 54.4 percent from 2.3 billion ringgit (747.8 million U.S. dollars) recorded the same month last year while shipments of electronics and electrical products, which made up 32.7 percent of total exports, rose 7.8 percent.

Imports in February increased 18 percent to 46.3 billion ringgit (15 billion U.S. dollars) as the country brought in more intermediate goods such as industrial supplies, machineries and consumer products.

Total trade for the month climbed 16.1 percent to 103.2 billion ringgit (33.55 billion U.S. dollars) from a year ago.

Trade surplus widened by 21 percent to 10.6 billion ringgit (3. 44 billion U.S. dollars) from January's 8.75 billion ringgit (2.84 billion U.S. dollars) although it remained almost the same as last year.