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Malaysia records RM241.9 billion in trade for January 2025

Country’s exports in January saw a notable increase of RM380.3 million, or 0.3 percent, compared to the same month in the previous year.

Updated 1 year ago · Published on 28 Feb 2025 2:54PM

Malaysia records RM241.9 billion in trade for January 2025 — Growth in exports was largely driven by higher exports from Penang, Melaka, Perak and Sabah, Chief Statistician says. – February 28, 2025

MALAYSIA'S total trade for January 2025 amounted to RM241.9 billion, comprising RM122.8 billion in exports and RM119.2 billion in imports, according to data released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin, the Chief Statistician of Malaysia, revealed that the country’s exports in January saw a notable increase of RM380.3 million, or 0.3 percent, compared to the same month in the previous year.

"The growth in exports was largely driven by higher exports from Penang (RM8.3 billion), Melaka (RM1.4 billion), Perak (RM76.4 million), and Sabah (RM11.0 million)," he explained in a statement today.

However, Uzir also pointed out a decline in exports from several states, including Johor, which saw a decrease of RM4.1 billion, followed by Sarawak (RM1.5 billion), Kuala Lumpur (RM1.0 billion), Selangor (RM844.6 million), Pahang (RM684.0 million), Terengganu (RM459.6 million), Negeri Sembilan (RM358.6 million), Kedah (RM225.4 million), Labuan (RM123.2 million), Kelantan (RM32.4 million), and Perlis (RM10.9 million).

Penang remained the top exporter, contributing 34.9 percent of Malaysia’s total exports, followed by Johor (19.0 percent), Selangor (17.3 percent), Sarawak (7.5 percent), and Kedah (4.2 percent).

On the import side, Uzir noted that total imports in January 2025 rose by RM6.9 billion, or 6.2 percent, compared to the same period last year. This increase was largely driven by higher imports in several states, including Penang (RM7.3 billion), Johor (RM2.5 billion), Perak (RM346.2 million), Kuala Lumpur (RM285.2 million), Labuan (RM139.0 million), Kelantan (RM92.9 million), and Perlis (RM29.0 million).

Nevertheless, there were reductions in imports from other states such as Melaka (RM2.2 billion), Pahang (RM633.7 million), Terengganu (RM479.8 million), Negeri Sembilan (RM377.9 million), Kedah (RM157.8 million), Sabah (RM101.4 million), Sarawak (RM86.9 million), and Selangor (RM73.8 million).

Selangor continued to be the largest importer in the country, accounting for 24.8 percent of Malaysia’s total imports, followed by Johor (24.3 percent), Penang (24.1 percent), Kuala Lumpur (8.5 percent), and Kedah (5.2 percent). – February 28, 2025