Kuala lumpur: Malaysia's trade with ASEAN recorded an increase of 1.7 per cent to RM709.08 billion for the January to November 2025 period, accounting for 25.6 per cent of Malaysia's total global trade which amounted to RM2.775 trillion for the same period in 2024.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) reported that exports rose by 4.8 per cent to RM418.78 billion. This increase was primarily driven by higher demand for electrical and electronic products, machinery, equipment and parts, as well as optical and scientific instruments.

On the other hand, imports saw a decline of 2.6 per cent, amounting to RM290.30 billion. This decline was attributed to a significant drop in domestic demand for petroleum products, chemicals and chemical products, and transport equipment. The fall in petroleum market prices also contributed to this decline, with crude oil prices dropping from around US$80 per barrel in 2024 to US$60 per barrel in 2025, as stated by MITI in a written reply to the Dewan Rakyat, published on the Parliament website.

The ministry's response came in reply to a query from Tan Kok Wa (PH-Cheras) regarding the comparison between Malaysia's trade with ASEAN and non-ASEAN partners, as well as the measures taken to strengthen intra-ASEAN trade.

In 2024, Malaysia's total trade with ASEAN increased by 6.1 per cent compared with 2023, reaching RM765.03 billion, which represented 29 per cent of Malaysia's total trade valued at RM2.879 trillion. During the same period, Malaysia's exports to ASEAN rose by 4.1 per cent to RM438 billion, while imports from ASEAN increased by 8.9 per cent to RM327.12 billion. The country's three main export and import destinations within ASEAN are Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia.