Malaysia Achieves Historic Services Trade Surplus, First Since 2011, as Total Trade Hits Record Highs in 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, 19 FEBRUARY 2026 (THURSDAY) - Following a year of unprecedented economic resilience, Malaysia has achieved a landmark trade performance in 2025, with total trade (merchandise) breaching the RM3 trillion milestone for the first time in history. This momentum was further solidified by the services sector, which recorded its first trade surplus after 13 years of deficit since 2011, signaling Malaysia's successful transition into a high-value, services-driven economy. The RM1.15 billion trade surplus signals a significant turnaround, propelled by robust performance in travel and manufacturing services.

This recovery anchored a record-breaking year for the nation’s economy, with total services trade surpassing the RM500 billion mark for the first time in history to reach an all-time high of RM543.01 billion, a 9.2% increase compared to 2024. Exports recorded historic high to RM272.08 billion expanded by 12%, outpacing imports, which grew by 6.4% to RM270.93 billion. This strong export performance resulted in an overall trade surplus of RM1.15 billion. 

The export growth was underpinned by a surge in travel, alongside robust gains in other business services, telecommunications, computer & information services, transport as well as maintenance and repair services. Travel recorded double-digit growth of 16% to RM110.59 billion, fuelled by a record-breaking 42.2 million international arrivals compared to 2024.

Telecommunications, computer and information services expanded by 27.1% to RM27.13 billion, fuelled by the nation’s burgeoning data center ecosystem. Other business services rose by 14.1% to RM48.66 billion, reflecting rising demand for professional, managerial and consultancy services. Maintenance and repair services surged by 34.2% to RM7.67 billion, underscoring Malaysia’s increasingly deeper integration into regional and global supply chains and reflecting growing demand for cross-border technical servicing activities.

MATRADE, through its high-impact trade missions and International Sourcing Programmes (INSP), significantly enhanced the global reach of Malaysia’s services sector. Its strategic efforts to position Malaysia as a premier hub for high-value digital, data centre and professional services, undertaken in close collaboration with industry stakeholders, contributed to the expansion of Malaysia’s services trade in international markets.

By aligning MATRADE’s aggressive export promotion with national policy frameworks such as the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 and the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (RMK12), Malaysia is successfully transitioning toward a high-income, services-driven economy defined by digital excellence and technical sophistication.

Chairman of MATRADE, Dato’ Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, remarked, "The 2025 services trade performance marks a watershed moment for Malaysia. Achieving our first services surplus in 14 years underscores the success of our strategic shift toward a high-value, knowledge-based economy. With total trade reaching a record RM543.01 billion, we remain committed to sustaining this momentum by enhancing our export promotion initiatives across both major and emerging markets, in line with our diversification strategies to ensure sustainable growth for Malaysian exporters.”

Mr. Abu Bakar Yusof, Chief Executive Officer of MATRADE, reiterated the agency’s commitment to facilitating and expanding Malaysia’s exports. “Our mission has always been to convert Malaysia’s growing international visibility and exposure into tangible market access. Looking ahead, we remain dedicated to empowering Malaysian service providers including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to scale globally under our 2026 roadmap.”

“The exceptional performance of the services sector in 2025 also reflects the impact of our targeted export initiatives through showcasing our local capabilities in iconic international expositions such as the International Paris Airshow (aviation and aerospace), ADIPEC (energy ecosystem including Oil & Gas (Upstream/Downstream), LNG, Petrochemicals, and Renewable Energy), SEMICON Southeast Asia & SEMICON West (semiconductor and related industries) and International Healthcare Week Malaysia (healthcare services). All these major services related trade events align with high value sectors as stipulated in the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) to ensure that the services sector continues to serve as a key engine of national prosperity," he added.

MATRADE will continue to champion Malaysian export excellence on the world stage by deepening its integration into global supply chains, fostering innovation and high- value partnerships that will drive long-term prosperity and solidify Malaysia’s standing as a premier global trade hub.