KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s trade is expected to expand in line with the outlook published by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which projected global merchandise trade volume to grow by three per cent, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
In a statement today, MITI said the Ministry of Finance (MoF)’s Economic Outlook 2025 forecasted Malaysia’s trade to expand by four per cent in 2025, with exports and imports expected to grow by 3.9 per cent and 4.1 per cent, respectively.
Meanwhile, gross domestic product is projected to expand between 4.5 per cent and 5.5 per cent.
“Continuous demand for electrical and electronic products this year will be supported by an upcycle trend in the sector, aligned with the projection by World Semiconductor Trade Statistics that global semiconductor sales will increase by 11.2 per cent in 2025,” it said.
MITI highlighted that utilisation of free trade agreements will be crucial in facilitating Malaysian products’ access to wider markets, thereby boosting export growth.
“As an open trading nation, Malaysia remains vulnerable to global risks that could impact economic growth, including uncertainties arising from prolonged geopolitical tensions, disruptions in global supply chains, and fluctuations in commodity prices.
“Moreover, anticipation is building ahead of the inauguration of the US president-elect, with new policies potentially affecting regional trade,” the statement added.
Thus, it stated that MITI and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) would remain vigilant in ensuring risks to trade growth are closely monitored and mitigated, particularly through intensified market promotion activities and the expansion into new export markets for Malaysian products.
Malaysia’s trade reached an all-time high of RM2.88 trillion in 2024, up 9.2 per cent year-on-year, marking the fourth consecutive year of exceeding RM2 trillion.
In 2024, exports rose 5.7 per cent to RM1.51 trillion, while imports grew by 13.2 per cent y-o-y to RM1.371 trillion.
-- BERNAMA
