{
  "id": 15825321,
  "title": "Malaysia posts RM1.57tril exports in nine months, but growth may cool",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/malaysia-posts-rm1-57tril-exports-in-nine-months-but-growth-may-cool",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T00:00:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/10/1560192/malaysia-posts-rm157tril-exports-nine-months-growth-may-cool"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia's exports reached a record RM1.57 trillion in the first nine months of 2026, growing by 34 percent year-on-year. Electrical and electronics shipments and expanding demand in non-traditional markets drove this increase. However, economists caution that the growth figures alone do not reveal the underlying strength of Malaysia's trade performance. Detailed data on shipment volumes, prices, and higher-value products are needed to assess the export performance accurately. Malaysia's trade grew 30.1 percent to RM2.91 trillion during the period, with imports increasing 25.7 percent to RM1.34 trillion, resulting in a trade surplus of RM232.38 billion. The E&E sector, particularly semiconductor and AI-related demand, continued to be a major export driver, accounting for a RM253.88 billion increase. Other contributors included petroleum products, optical and scientific equipment, machinery, and liquefied natural gas. Downstream palm oil-based manufactured products, especially oleochemicals, also experienced double-digit export growth. Malaysian SMEs played a significant role in these industries. However, experts expect export growth to moderate in 2027 as global demand normalizes and the high base of comparison makes further gains more challenging. The strong export performance is evidence that global headwinds, Middle East conflicts, and Trump tariffs are not the sole factors affecting Malaysia's economy. Economists expect the strong performance to continue into 2027 due to sustained external demand, higher export prices, and increased volumes.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s exports hit a record RM1.57 trillion in the first nine months of 2026, but an economist cautions that the headline growth figures alone do not reveal the underlying strength of the country’s trade performance.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Nine wanted over online prostitution syndicate arrested in Malaysia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/nine-wanted-over-online-prostitution-syndicate-arrested-in-malaysia",
        "published": "2026-10-21T03:27:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}