Malaysia's exports in February rose 16.8% from a year earlier, below forecast, government data showed on Friday.​

February's exports were expected to rise 23.8%, according to 14 economists surveyed in a Reuters poll.

Imports in February grew 18.4% from a year earlier, the data showed.

Analysts were expecting a 25.6% rise, according to 14 economists surveyed in a Reuters poll. Malaysia's trade surplus in February was 19.8 billion ringgit.

Analysts had forecast a surplus of 20.3 billion ringgit.