Kuala lumpur: Malaysia’s services trade has returned to a surplus for the first time in 14 years, contributing to a RM12.2 billion current account surplus in the third quarter of 2025, as reported by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin confirmed that Malaysia maintained a surplus in the Current Account Balance (CAB) during this period, driven by steady goods exports and a recovering services sector. The services sector’s surplus marks a recovery since 2011, despite the financial account registering a net outflow of RM11.2 billion, primarily due to portfolio investment.

Mohd Uzir detailed that the goods account recorded a net export surplus of RM33.3 billion, nearly doubling the RM17.0 billion from the previous quarter. Goods exports rose by 4.3 percent quarter-on-quarter to RM293.6 billion, led by increased exports of electrical and electronics products, petroleum products, and palm oil-based products, mainly to Singapore, the USA, and China. Conversely, imports of goods decreased by 1.6 percent to RM260.3 billion, largely from China, Taiwan, and Singapore.

Additionally, the services account registered a surplus of RM0.7 billion in Q3 2025, reversing the previous quarter’s RM3.3 billion deficit, primarily supported by growth in the travel component. The exports of services were RM68.6 billion, against imports of RM67.9 billion.

From an income perspective, the primary income account posted a deficit of RM19.9 billion, compared to RM8.9 billion in the previous quarter. This was due to lower income from Malaysia’s overseas investments, which amounted to RM19.0 billion, primarily from Direct and Portfolio Investments. Meanwhile, foreign investors in Malaysia generated an income of RM38.9 billion, reflecting stronger returns in similar investment categories.

The secondary income account saw an improvement, with the deficit narrowing to RM1.8 billion from RM4.6 billion, mainly due to increased remittances and income inflows. The financial account experienced a higher net outflow of RM11.2 billion, compared to RM2.2 billion in the previous quarter, largely attributed to portfolio investment outflows valued at RM28 billion due to bond redemptions and increased investment in foreign securities by Malaysian investors. Financial derivatives also recorded net outflows of RM800 million, while other investments and direct investments saw net inflows of RM10.9 billion and RM6.8 billion, respectively.