Malaysia: Merchandise exports grow at a faster pace in May
Merchandise exports rose 2.8% year on year in May (April: +1.2% yoy). May’s result marked the most robust outturn since February 2023. Meanwhile, merchandise imports climbed 8.9% in annual terms in May (April: +7.3% yoy).
As a result, the merchandise trade balance improved from the previous month, recording a USD 2.1 billion surplus in May (April 2024: USD 1.6 billion surplus; May 2023: USD 3.5 billion surplus). Lastly, the trend pointed down, with the 12-month trailing merchandise trade balance recording a USD 37.1 billion surplus in May, compared to the USD 38.4 billion surplus in April.