Malaysia’s economy is currently in a boom phase, setting a new record for trade. The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) announced that trade volume surged 15.3 percent year-on-year, reaching RM1.127 trillion in the period January to April 2026.
This historic surge was driven by demand for High Growth and High Value (HGHV) Products and a carefully implemented market diversification strategy.
The country’s exports saw a sharp increase of 19 percent to RM609.31 billion, while imports increased by 11.1 percent to RM517.40 billion. More impressively, the trade surplus almost doubled, increasing by 99.1 percent to RM91.92 billion.
The resilience of the country’s external sector is clearly evident, even amidst global geopolitical uncertainties. The main force behind this export growth is the Electrical and Electronics (E&E) sector, which grew by RM71 billion (32.1 percent). This increase is supported by the global semiconductor boom and the application of future technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and data center expansion.
Malaysia is not just joining, but strengthening its role in the global AI value chain. Exports of AI-enabled products now surged 42.9 percent to RM319.05 billion, accounting for more than half (52.4 percent) of the country’s total exports.
In addition, pharmaceutical and automotive products also contributed to the HGHV narrative with double-digit growth (21.9 percent and 10.3 percent), in line with the strategic focus of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP).
MATRADE Chief Executive Officer, Abu Bakar Yusof, stressed that the surge in AI and semiconductor exports demonstrates the strong position of the Malaysian industry in the global technology supply chain.
In addition to core markets that remain strong (such as the US +32.5%, China +18.7%, and the EU +23.9%), Malaysia’s diversification strategy has paid off. Exports to emerging markets recorded exponential growth, led by countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (+196.6 percent), Sudan (+223.1 percent), and Zimbabwe (+220.5 percent).
This proves that Malaysian exporters are now confidently moving into new markets in Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, ensuring that the country remains important in the global supply chain.
Malaysia’s trade trajectory to 2026 looks strong, bolstered by the momentum of HGHV, strategic market diversification, and adaptability in the face of challenges. MATRADE pledges to continue guiding exporters and SMEs to seize high-value opportunities in the global market.
