DATUK Seri Johari Abdul Ghani has identified comprehensive analysis of trade data and the strengthening of small and medium-sized enterprises as his immediate priorities as he assumes responsibility as Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
He said the approach is crucial at a time when the global economic landscape is undergoing significant change, with an increasing number of countries turning towards inward-looking, protectionist measures to safeguard their own economic interests.
“Actually, I did not come here to create miracles. What I want to do is to get feedback from the ministry’s officers, and together diagnose our economic statistics so that accurate findings can be shared with the Cabinet,” he said.
“Beyond that, we are also looking ahead to formulate strategic measures to protect national interests,” he added.
Johari noted that while Malaysia’s gross domestic product has recorded substantial growth over the past decade, the contribution of SMEs has expanded only marginally, rising from 37 per cent in 2015 to about 39 per cent in 2024.
“This is something we need to pay serious attention to, because SMEs are not growing in tandem with the size of the national economy,” he said.
He also highlighted developments in Malaysia’s trade performance, which has seen strong growth in overall value, but a narrowing trade surplus.
In 2015, Malaysia’s total trade amounted to approximately RM1.2 trillion, with a trade surplus of nearly 8.6 per cent, or RM109 billion. By 2024, total trade had increased to RM2.2 trillion, but the surplus had narrowed to around 5.4 per cent.
“We also need to look ahead at how we should protect the domestic economy. What we want to do is adopt protection strategies, similar to those of other developed countries,” he said.
Johari said this approach would form a central pillar of MITI’s broader strategy to ensure Malaysia’s economy remains resilient in an increasingly challenging global environment. - December 17, 2025
