Malaysia: Merchandise exports slide at a slower rate in September
Merchandise exports sank 16.2% on an annual basis in September, on the heels of August’s 21.3% dive. Meanwhile, merchandise imports plunged 13.7% on an annual basis in September (August: -23.7% yoy).
As a result, the merchandise trade balance improved from the previous month, recording a USD 5.2 billion surplus in September (August 2023: USD 3.7 billion surplus; September 2022: USD 7.0 billion surplus). Lastly, the trend pointed down, with the 12-month trailing merchandise trade balance recording a USD 54.2 billion surplus in September, compared to the USD 56.0 billion surplus in August.