Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Malaysia achieved a milestone in 2025, with total merchandise trade exceeding 3 trillion MYR (770 billion USD) for the first time, reflecting a year of remarkable economic resilience.
According to the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), the momentum was reinforced by the services sector, which recorded its first trade surplus since 2011, marking a successful shift toward a high-value service-driven economy.
The trade surplus of 295 million USD signals a major turnaround, led by robust performance in travel and manufacturing services.
Total trade in services also reached a record high of 139 billion USD, up 9.2% from 2024. Of this, services exports hit an all-time high of 70 billion USD, growing by 12%—well above the 6.4% increase in services imports, which stood at 69 billion USD.
Matrade Chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said achieving the first services surplus in 14 years underscores the success of strategic shift of his country toward a high-value and knowledge-based economy.
Malaysia remains committed to sustaining this momentum by enhancing export promotion initiatives across both major and emerging markets, in line with diversification strategies to ensure sustainable growth for Malaysian exporters.
Abu Bakar Yusof, chief executive officer of Matrade, stressed that the exceptional performance of the services sector in 2025 also reflects the impact of the corporation's targeted export initiatives through showcasing its local capabilities in iconic international expositions in sectors such as aerospace, the energy ecosystem, semiconductors and healthcare.
All these major services-related trade events align with high-value sectors as stipulated in the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) to ensure that the services sector continues to serve as a key engine of national prosperity, Abu Bakar said.
In 2026, Matrade will roll out a roadmap focused on empowering domestic service providers, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), to scale up their presence globally. It will also continue to champion Malaysian export excellence on the world stage by deepening its integration into global supply chains, fostering innovation and high-value partnerships that will drive long-term prosperity and solidify Malaysia's standing as a premier global trade hub./.
