KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's services sector ended a 13-year trade deficit to record a trade surplus of RM1.15bil in 2025 on the back of a robust performance in travel and manufacturing services, said the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade).
According to the trade agency, the recovery also saw total services trade in 2025 rising to an all-time high of RM543.01bil, which was 9.2% improved over that of 2024.
Exports expanded 12% to a historic high of RM272.08bil while imports grew 6.4% to RM270.93bil.
Matrade chairman Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said the 2025 services trade performance marked a watershed moment for the country.
"Achieving our first services surplus in 14 years underscores the success of our strategic shift toward a high-value, knowledge-based economy.
"With total trade reaching a record RM543.01bil, we remain committed to sustaining this momentum by enhancing our export promotion initiatives across both major and emerging markets, in line with our diversification strategies to ensure sustainable growth for Malaysian exporters,” he said in a statement.
Matrade said the export growth was underpinned by a surge in travel, alongside robust gains in other business services, telecommunications, computer & information services, transport as well as maintenance and repair services.
Travel recorded double-digit growth of 16% to RM110.59bil, fuelled by a record-breaking 42.2 million international arrivals compared to 2024.
Telecommunications, computer and information services expanded 27.1% to RM27.13bil, fuelled by the nation’s burgeoning data center ecosystem.
Other business services rose by 14.1% to RM48.66bil, reflecting rising demand for professional, managerial and consultancy services.
Maintenance and repair services surged 34.2% to RM7.67bil, underscoring Malaysia’s increasingly deeper integration into regional and global supply chains and reflecting growing demand for cross-border technical servicing activities.
Matrade CEO Abu Bakar Yusof attributed the performance of the services sector in 2025 to the impact of targeted export initiaitives showcasing local capabilities in iconic international expositions such as the International Paris Airshow (aviation and aerospace), ADIPEC (energy ecosystem including Oil & Gas (Upstream/Downstream), LNG, Petrochemicals, and Renewable Energy), SEMICON Southeast Asia & SEMICON West (semiconductor and related industries) and International Healthcare Week Malaysia (healthcare services).
"All these major services related trade events align with high value sectors as stipulated in the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) to ensure that the services sector continues to serve as a key engine of national prosperity," he added.
