Malaysia's total trade with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was valued at RM8.37 billion ($2.36 billion) during January-April this year, down 26.5 percent from RM11.4 billion in the same period in 2008. Figures compiled by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) showed that Malaysia exported products worth RM4.72 billion to GCC states while imports stood at RM3.65 billion in the first four months of the year. Exports were down by 9.23 percent while imports decreased by 41 percent over January-April 2008's figures of RM5.2 billion and RM6.19 billion respectively. The UAE remained Malaysia's biggest trading partner in the Gulf, with total trade valued at RM4.85 billion in the year till April, constituting the largest share of the pie at 57.9 percent. Malaysia's main exports to the GCC comprised manufactured goods worth RM4.19 billion, agricultural products valued at RM448.8 million and mining goods worth RM7.2 million. Jewelry topped the list of exports to the Gulf region at RM1.17 billion till April, compared to RM838 million during the same period last year. This was followed by electrical and electronic products (RM1.07 billion), machinery, appliances and parts (RM384.5 million), palm oil (RM349.5 million), processed food (RM274.8 million).
