MALAYSIA’S total trade for June 2023 amounted to RM222.1 billion (May 2023: RM223.8 billion) with exports and imports recorded at RM124 billion and RM98.2 billion, respectively, the Statistics Department Malaysia said.

Chief statistician Mohd Uzir Mahidin said exports and imports decreased 14.1% and 18.9%, respectively, in June 2023 compared to June 2022.

The drop in exports was attributed to lower exports from most states. Johor exports fell by RM9.4 billion, Sarawak was lower by RM4.6 billion, and Selangor by RM3.5 billion.

Other states include Sabah (-RM1.1 billion), Perak (-RM847.9 million), Terengganu (-RM380.1 million), Kelantan (-RM269.6 million), Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (-RM78.8 million) and Perlis (-RM13.7 million).

“However, Penang exports rose by RM6.4 billion, Labuan added RM950.5 million and Kedah increased by RM882.6 million. Others states that saw their exports rising include Pahang (+RM336.8 million), Malacca (+RM209.7 million) and Negri Sembilan (+RM81.4 million), the statement said.

Penang remained as the top exporter with a 33.2% share of the country’s total exports, followed by Johor (20.8%), Selangor (17.3%), Sarawak (6.3%) and Kuala Lumpur (4.4%), it said.

Meanwhile, Selangor continued to dominate Malaysia’s imports with a 25.8% share, followed by Johor (21.2%), Penang (19.8%), Malacca (7.2%) and Kuala Lumpur (7.1%). – Bernama, July 27, 2023.