Malaysia records trade deficit in April after 269 consecutive months of surplus

KUALA LUMPUR: The COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused major disruptions to the global supply chain, has dragged Malaysia to record a trade deficit of RM3.5 billion in April 2020, after 269 consecutive months of surplus on account of higher contraction in exports compared to imports.

The last trade deficit recorded by the country was in October 1997 amounted to RM151.3 million.