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Malaysia looks to become apparel hub

According to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), its total trade in apparel and clothing accessories exceeded 4.5 billion USD in 2025, marking an 8.3% annual hike.

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Malaysia's textile and apparel industry continues to record steady growth, reinforcing its position as a key player in Southeast Asia.

According to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), its total trade in apparel and clothing accessories exceeded 4.5 billion USD in 2025, marking an 8.3% annual hike. The momentum accelerated into 2026, with exports in the first five months surging 27.8% year- on-year to more than 1.7 billion USD, reflecting growing global demand for Malaysian-made products.

S. Jai Shankar, Deputy CEO of Matrade, said the industry is being upgraded through automation, sustainable manufacturing and higher-value design capabilities, making local firms increasingly attractive to global buyers and investors.

A newly proposed Bangladesh-Malaysia Textile Forum, based in Kuala Lumpur, is expected to tighten bilateral supply chain integration and create new business opportunities for both nations, he added./.

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