Malaysia’s services sector has achieved a historic milestone by recording a trade surplus of MYR 1.15 billion (USD 290 million) in 2025, ending a 13-year deficit streak. Total services trade surged to an all-time high of MYR 543.01 billion (USD 137.47 billion), marking a 9.2% increase over the previous year.
Exports expanded by 12% to a record MYR 272.08 billion (USD 68.88 billion), while imports grew by 6.4% to MYR 270.93 billion (USD 68.59 billion). This performance marks a watershed moment for the nation, underscoring a successful strategic shift toward a high-value, knowledge-based economy. The robust export growth was spearheaded by the travel sector, which saw a 16% jump to MYR 110.59 billion (USD 28.00 billion), fueled by a record-breaking 42.2 million international arrivals.
Significant gains were also recorded in technology and technical fields: telecommunications, computer, and information services skyrocketed 27.1% to MYR 27.13 billion (USD 6.87 billion), driven by the nation’s burgeoning data center ecosystem, while maintenance and repair services surged 34.2% to MYR 7.67 billion (USD 1.94 billion). Additionally, other business services, including consultancy and managerial roles, rose 14.1% to MYR 48.66 billion (USD 12.32 billion). This record-breaking achievement is attributed to targeted export initiatives and deeper integration into global supply chains, showcasing local capabilities in high-value sectors such as aviation, energy, and semiconductors.
(Sources: New Straits Times; The Star)
