Malaysia’s trade surplus forecast to grow by at least 15–20 per cent
Matrade is focusing on smaller businesses’ export capabilities, with MSMEs accounting for 14.7 per cent of exports despite contributing 39.7 per cent of GDP in 2025.
Malaysia’s trade surplus is expected to increase by 15 to 20 per cent at minimum in 2026, from RM156.83 billion in 2025, according to Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) chief executive officer Datuk Indera Abu Bakar Yusof.
Speaking to Bernama in Kuala Lumpur on November 2, Abu Bakar identified rising exports, access to more overseas markets and increased involvement by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as the expected drivers. He said Matrade would prioritise helping local businesses contribute more to exports.
MSMEs accounted for 39.7 per cent of Malaysia’s gross domestic product in 2025, but only 14.7 per cent of exports, he said. The Malaysia Exporters Registry currently has nearly 11,300 members, including about 4,200 MSMEs that already sell overseas.
Through MATRADE Academy, the agency is working with public- and private-sector partners on 16 training modules covering subjects including export readiness, packaging, certification, logistics, financing and digital trade. The programme is intended both to prepare first-time exporters and to help established exporters reach additional markets.
Abu Bakar said participating companies would later join promotional activities abroad to present their products and build commercial contacts. He said results should be judged by companies’ actions, including starting exports, raising export values and reaching more markets.
Matrade also exchanged a memorandum of understanding with FedEx Malaysia to improve assistance for exporters, particularly with international logistics.
