| Since the 1970's, Malaysia has been able to | | | | recorded in exports while imports in Malaysia went |
| continuously maintain the fast growth of its | | | | down to RM118.5 (12.3%). |
| economy. It has been achieved by adopting the | | | | Malaysia holds key position in ASEAN markets. In the |
| economic policies that propelled rapid reduction of | | | | year 2008, total amount of exports from Malaysia to |
| poverty and checked the inequalities and | | | | ASEAN countries rose to RM171.19 billion recording an |
| imperfections in the Malaysian markets. It has | | | | increase of 10%. 25.8% of Malaysia's total exports in |
| developed equal and better economic environment | | | | 2008 were made to ASEAN. Imports from ASEAN |
| among its various ethnic identities. | | | | also went up to RM126.4 billion, an increase of 2.4%. |
| With the favorable signs of solid economic revival | | | | 24.2% of Malaysia's total imports were from ASEAN |
| emanating from the major economies of the world | | | | in 2008. |
| the import export in Malaysia is bound to grow | | | | In March 2009, exports decreased to RM43.6 billion |
| further. Improving global environment and rising | | | | by 15.6% and imports reduced to RM31.1 billion by |
| commodity prices have allowed the economy to | | | | 28.7% as compared with March 2008. Malaysia |
| sustain its growth and is predicted to improve | | | | registered a trade surplus of RM12.5 billion in March, |
| further. Improvement in business and consumer | | | | making it a 137th consecutive month that recorded |
| sentiments will further boost its growth. Extensive | | | | the trade surplus since November 1997. |
| growth that covers all the major sectors has also | | | | Major products exported from Malaysia include |
| contributed a lot in strengthening its economy. | | | | electrical and electronic goods, liquefied natural gas |
| Domestic demand, especially in the field of private | | | | (LNG), palm oil and related products, petroleum and |
| consumption, continued to increase at a steady pace | | | | related products, timber and timber based products, |
| and increase in private investments resulted in the | | | | chemicals and metals. Major goods imported by |
| economic growth led by the private sector. | | | | Malaysia include machinery, appliances and articles, iron |
| As per the figures available for the year 2008, the | | | | and steel products, chemicals and chemical products, |
| total trade done by Malaysia rose to RM80.5 trillion, | | | | food, mineral fuels, lubricants and transport |
| 6.8% more than what it achieved in the year 2007. | | | | equipments. |
| Exports jumped to RM663.5 billion recording 9.6% | | | | Major export destination for Malaysian goods includes |
| increase and the imports also rose to RM521.5 billion | | | | Japan, China, USA, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, |
| registering 3.3% growth, ensuing RM142 billion in trade | | | | India, Australia, Hong Kong and Netherlands. According |
| surplus. Though, the import export in Malaysia | | | | to the figures available for first three months of |
| declined in December 2008, it still recorded the trade | | | | 2009, 71.8% of Malaysia's total exports were made |
| surplus of RM11.67 million, taking the tally of | | | | to these countries. |
| successive trade surplus months to 134 since | | | | Major countries from where Malaysia imports are |
| November 1997. | | | | USA, Japan, China Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, |
| Comparing in quarterly terms, RM269.84 billion worth | | | | Germany, Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong. |
| of trade was registered in the 4th quarter of the | | | | These countries accounted for 70.6% of Malaysia's |
| year 2008, a decline of 9.6% from 4th quarter of | | | | total imports from January to March 2009. |
| the year 2007. Decline of RM151.3 (7.4%) was | | | | |