KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s export value has surged to RM1.45 trillion for the period spanning January to November 2025, while total trade for the same period reached RM2.77 trillion.
Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, chairman of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), announced that this marks the fifth consecutive year Malaysia has surpassed the trillion-ringgit trade barrier, positioning the country to set a new record for the full year, Bernama reported.
Reezal Merican noted that compared to the same period last year, exports had increased by almost 6.1%, trade grew by 5.8%, and imports rose by about 5.6%.
“During this period, the country’s trade surplus was recorded at RM132.5 billion, marking a 10.7% increase and reflecting a strong performance in external trade,” he told reporters.
Speaking after attending a circumcision programme organised by his service centre and UMNO Kepala Batas, Reezal highlighted that the growth in exports was largely driven by high demand for semiconductor products, which rose by 17.5%, pharmaceuticals (22.9%), and optical and scientific products (10%).
Asian countries remain Malaysia’s largest export destination, followed by the United States, China, the European Union (EU), and Hong Kong, which together accounted for nearly 68.5% of total exports.
Trade with countries having free trade agreements (FTAs) also performed well, growing by 3.2% and representing approximately 66.8% of export value. Key FTA partners include Mexico, Hong Kong, China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Chile, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
“What is particularly encouraging is the remarkable rise in exports to emerging markets in Africa and Central Asia,” he added. “Countries such as Yemen saw a 62% increase, Tanzania grew by 37%, Togo by 30%, Uzbekistan by 23%, Kenya by 12%, Nigeria by 15%, and Algeria by 24%.”
Reezal further credited the positive impact of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s official visits to Africa and Central Asia, which boosted trade with these regions, showing double-digit growth.
Looking ahead, Reezal expressed confidence that Malaysia would set a new record for both exports and trade in 2025. The official figures will be revealed on January 19, ahead of MATRADE’s Malaysia Trade Performance Announcement event on January 27.
“We expect this year to break the RM1.5 trillion mark, surpassing last year’s figure of RM1.51 trillion and the previous record of RM1.55 trillion set in 2022. With RM1.45 trillion already achieved, an additional RM100 billion this month could push it to RM1.55 trillion or RM1.56 trillion, surpassing the previous peak,” he concluded. – December 28, 2025