KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's trade performance reached historical levels in 2025, registering the highest trade, export and import values on record despite global uncertainties, official data showed Tuesday.
The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) said in a statement that Malaysia's total trade surpassed the 3 trillion ringgit (about 740 billion U.S. dollars) mark for the first time, amounting to 3.06 trillion ringgit, a 6.3 percent year-on-year increase.
The country's exports exceeded 1 trillion ringgit for the fifth consecutive year, rising 6.5 percent year on year to the highest ever recorded value of 1.61 trillion ringgit.
Meanwhile, its imports grew by 6.2 percent year on year to 1.46 trillion ringgit.
This performance resulted in a trade surplus of 151.8 billion ringgit, marking the 28th consecutive year of surplus since 1998.
According to the statement, notable export growth was underpinned by record-high shipments to traditional trading partners, including ASEAN countries, the United States and the European Union.
This performance was achieved despite rising global uncertainties, including geopolitical tensions, supply chain realignments and rising risks of protectionism.
From a sectoral perspective, Malaysia's manufactured goods recorded their highest export value to date, remaining the key driver of its historical export growth this year.
This was led by electrical and electronic products, machinery, equipment and parts, as well as optical and scientific equipment, all of which also reached record highs.
Strong export performance was further supported by the agriculture sector, driven primarily by palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products. ■