KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA January 20, 2026 – In a landmark announcement during the Prime Minister’s Question Time (PMQT) in the Dewan Rakyat today, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim revealed that the nation’s total trade volume for 2025 has surpassed RM3 trillion for the first time in history, marking a significant economic achievement amid global challenges.
The Prime Minister highlighted that this record-breaking figure, reaching approximately RM3.1 trillion, represents a 6.3% increase from the previous year. Exports rose by 6.5%, totaling RM1.508 trillion, while imports grew by 13.2% to RM1.371 trillion, contributing to an expanded trade surplus. Anwar attributed this success to the effectiveness of the MADANI government’s economic policies, which have maintained robust trade relations with key partners such as the United States, Europe, and China, while expanding into new regional markets.
“History is being made,” Anwar stated in Parliament. “The figures will be announced in detail today, with total trade for 2025 reaching RM3 trillion for the first time.” He emphasized the government’s realistic approach in navigating uncertainties from major powers and formulating new technologies to bolster trade competitiveness.
The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) confirmed the breakthrough, noting that despite challenging global conditions, Malaysia’s trade performance hit its highest value on record at RM3.061 trillion. Preliminary data for January to November 2025 showed total trade at RM2.77 trillion, up 5.8% year-on-year, with the full-year surge driven by strong December exports, particularly in electrical and electronics sectors.
In addition to trade figures, Anwar shared that approved investments for the first nine months of 2025 reached RM329.4 billion, reflecting heightened investor confidence. The country’s GDP growth for 2025 also exceeded expectations at 4.9%, surpassing the official forecast of 4-4.8%.
This milestone underscores Malaysia’s resilience and strategic positioning in global trade, positioning the nation as a respected international trade destination. Anwar expressed optimism for continued progress, stability, and expansion under the MADANI framework.
The announcement comes as part of ongoing efforts to enhance economic discipline, governance, and market exploration, as outlined in the Prime Minister’s address.
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