Malaysia’s trade volume reached a historic high of RM3 trillion in 2025, with GDP growth of 4.9% and a strengthening ringgit.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia recorded its highest-ever trade figure of RM3 trillion in 2025, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced.
He said the detailed announcement would be made by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) this afternoon.
“The figure will be announced in detail this afternoon with the trade volume for 2025 reaching an all-time high,” he told the Dewan Rakyat.
Anwar said the achievement came despite global geopolitical uncertainties and policy changes among major powers.
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He cited issues like US tariffs and tensions involving Europe, Greenland, and Venezuela as factors affecting international trade.
The government has therefore adopted a realistic approach by exploring new sectors and markets, including new technologies.
“Other than long-standing trading partners like the United States, Europe and China, we have also successfully penetrated new regions and areas to expand markets and trade,” he said.
Approved investments for the first nine months of 2025 rose by 13.2% to RM285.2 billion compared to a year ago.
This follows record investments of RM329.5 billion in 2023 and RM384.4 billion in 2024.
The country’s economy grew by 4.9% in 2025, surpassing the official projection of between 4.0 and 4.8%.
This was driven by a 5.7% growth in the last quarter of the year.
The ringgit strengthened by 4.05% against the US dollar, marking its best performance in five years.
The Bursa Malaysia index also rose to as high as 1,700 points, the highest level in seven years.
The unemployment rate in November 2025 declined to 2.9%, the lowest in 11 years.
Anwar said the government is prepared to implement challenging policy reforms to build investor confidence.
These include the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which helped reduce the fiscal deficit from 5.5% in 2022 to 3.8% in 2025. – Bernama
