MALAYSIA will intensify efforts to expand exports to new markets, especially Central Asia and the African continent this year, after showing excellent performance last year.
Chairman of the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE), Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the export value of both markets increased significantly, led by Kyrgyzstan which recorded a jump of 225.8 percent.
“There is a lot of potential for Malaysia’s exports to these countries including crude palm oil, halal products, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and automotive-related goods.
“From there, Malaysia sees an opportunity to establish a foothold and expand exports to this rapidly developing market,” he told Buletin TV3.
Apart from Kyrgyzstan, new markets that recorded significant export increases were Yemen by 49.7 percent, Tanzania by 38.8 percent, Togo by 27.6 percent and Angola by 18.9 percent.
In fact, exports to Uzbekistan, Algeria and Kenya achieved their highest annual values, increasing by 27 percent, 15.3 percent and 9.9 percent respectively.
“The country’s exports recorded the highest achievement in history with a value of RM1.607 trillion last year, growing by 6.5 percent compared to 2024.
“ASEAN countries, China, the United States, the European Union (EU) and Taiwan collectively contributed 68.3 percent to the country’s total exports,” he added.
However, by 2030, Reezal wants Malaysia to further diversify its markets with a target of 50 percent of its export contribution being from major trading countries while the rest is from emerging countries.
“The population is large elsewhere, such as the African continent. The combined population of Africa and Asia makes up 77 percent of the global population. Their needs will also increase. So we want to be among the first to establish a foothold there,” he said.
He stressed that this move to diversify markets is important to address the impact of the uncertain global trade environment. – January 31, 2026
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