Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today said he was elated over Malaysia''s robust economic performance in the first quarter of this year.

Speaking at the National Export Council Meeting here today, the prime minister, who is also Finance Minister, said Malaysia''s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at 5.6 per cent with higher private consumption and investment as the main driver of growth supported by better performance in the external sector.

"Malaysia continued to register a trade surplus of RM18.9 billion," he said.

Najib added that both export and import grew at 21.4 per cent and 27.7 per cent, respectively, to RM224.7 billion and RM205.8 billion, respectively, in the first quarter of 2017.

Present were International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister in the Prime Minister Department Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek and Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong.

Najib also congratulated Second International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan who was appointed a member of the National Export Council. - BERNAMA