Malaysia: Merchandise trade surplus narrows in January
Latest reading: In January, the trade balance was USD +5.3 billion, following a USD +5.4 billion reading in the prior month. Over the last 12 months, the trade balance summed to USD +40.8 billion.
Merchandise exports were up 32.6% in year-on-year terms in January, coming on the back of 20.2% growth in the prior month. January’s reading was the strongest since August 2022. Meanwhile, merchandise imports increased 16.8% in annual terms in January, following 19.4% growth in the prior month.