KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's total trade is expected to grow at 3 percent to 5 percent in 2026 after reaching a record high of 3.06 trillion ringgit (780 billion U.S. dollars) in 2025, according to Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Sim Tze Tzin.
Despite lingering global risks, Sim said that following the recent announcement of Malaysia's 2025 trade performance, the government was optimistic about achieving the trade target in 2026.
However, he noted that unforeseen factors such as slower growth in major economies or economic crises among major trading partners may drag the trade growth.
In his earlier speech, Sim highlighted that Malaysia must diversify its trade partnerships to ensure sustainable growth.
"Broadening trade relations beyond traditional markets and forging stronger ties with emerging economies will reduce reliance on any single region, mitigating potential risks," he said.
According to him, the economies of some emerging markets, such as Africa, the Middle East and Latin America, have grown exponentially in recent years. ■