SEREMBAN, Sept 2 — Malaysia’s trade performance continued to soar as the country’s trade recorded its highest value of RM1.73 trillion, an increase of 4.7 per cent for the period from January to July this year compared with RM1.65 trillion in the same period last year.
Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) board member Datuk Mohammad Medan Abdullah said that of the total, the value of exports was RM900.47 billion and imports stood at RM830.16 billion, with a trade surplus at RM70.31 billion.
He said the performance is in line with the country’s trade growth trajectory last year, with trade volume reaching a new high of RM2.879 trillion, an increase of 9.2 per cent from 2023.
“The country’s exports last year exceeded RM1 trillion for the fourth consecutive year, increasing to RM1.508 trillion, exceeding by 87.2 per cent of the 12th Malaysia Plan export target.
“The value of imports also recorded an increase of 13.2 per cent to RM1.37 trillion, resulting in a trade surplus of RM136.88 billion for the 27th consecutive year since 1998,” he said at the Negeri Sembilan Export Day opening ceremony officiated by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.
Also present was Matrade deputy chief executive officer Mansor Shah Wahid.
He said Matrade would continue to explore and expand the export market through its 48 trade offices worldwide as well as organise various exporter development programmes and promotions for the benefit of Malaysian companies.
In addition, he said 95 export promotion programmes and 1,835 business matches were organised by Matrade from last year until July this year.
As of July 31, 13,314 Malaysian companies were registered with Matrade, he said.
Meanwhile, Matrade would be organising several international exhibitions including the 21st edition of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) from September 17 to 20 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur.
Matrade also took the Mihas brand abroad for the first time, to Dubai and the United Arab Emirates last year, and this year, Mihas is being held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10 in conjunction with the China International Import Expo, targeting 200 Malaysian firms, he said.
Meanwhile, Aminuddin said Malaysia must look for trade opportunities with foreign countries and not focus on just one country, to expand local entrepreneurs’ products abroad, including to Africa and South America.
“We hope that after this the number of exporters will continue to increase, especially for entrepreneurs in Negeri Sembilan. This is the best medium provided by Matrade to expand and thus contribute to the country’s exports,” he said.
Earlier, Mansor said today’s programme is a strategic platform to develop more exporting entrepreneurs in addition to increasing awareness, knowledge and potential for the export market for entrepreneurs from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
