CEO Mustafa Abdul Aziz said despite the challenging global environment, Malaysia’s business community remained resilient following robust global demand and high commodity prices.

Malaysia’s trade performance in 2022 surpassed RM2 trillion for the second consecutive year and registered the fastest growth since 1994, with exports expanding 25% to RM1.55 trillion, according to the international trade and industry ministry.

“I am glad to share our exports also exceeded the projection of 12MP for 2025, three years ahead of the target. Imports, meanwhile, breached the RM1 trillion mark for the first time, reaching nearly RM1.3 trillion in 2022,” he said in a statement today.

As a prominent global trading nation, he said Malaysia exported a high-value and competitive range of products to over 200 international markets.

“This affirms Malaysia’s position as a reliable trading partner, accessing new and emerging markets through various trade agreements at the regional and bilateral levels. In 2022, Malaysia’s top 10 export destinations contributed 87.7% share of total exports.”

Mustafa said Matrade has been the main focal point in facilitating Malaysian exporters, ministries, agencies, chambers and associations by connecting them with foreign buyers.

He said the agency’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s exports would continue under three main export agendas, namely digitalisation, sustainability and the National Trade Blueprint.

The agency has devised several high-value export programmes for 2023 to support Malaysia’s export community.

This includes industries like electrical and electronics, machinery and equipment, aerospace, food and beverages, medical and pharmaceuticals, building materials, oil and gas, as well as services such as information and communications technology and shipbuilding.