Malaysia's total trade with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was valued at 8.37 billion Malaysian Ringgits (2.3 billion USD) during January-April this year, down 26.5 percent as compared with the same period in 2008, said Bernama news agency.

It cited figures compiled by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) as showing that Malaysia exported products worth 4.72 billion Ringgits to GCC states while imports stood at 3.65 billion Ringgits 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, Matrade added.

The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)./.