Sarawak’s total trade grew from RM118 billion in 2020 to RM179 billion in 2025 despite global uncertainties, reflecting the state’s resilient and competitive export-driven economy.
Deputy Premier and Minister of International Trade and Industry, Industry Terminal and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said total trade recorded an average annual growth of 11 per cent during the 12th Malaysia Plan period while maintaining a strong and consistent trade surplus.
“Exports expanded by 12 per cent annually from RM77 billion in 2020 to RM119 billion in 2025 while imports grew steadily by 11 per cent from RM40 billion to RM60 billion.
“As a result, Sarawak’s trade surplus increased significantly from RM36 billion in 2020 to RM59 billion in 2025,” he said in his ministerial winding-up speech today.
However, Awang Tengah said trade performance moderated in the first quarter of 2026 amid softer external demand and ongoing global uncertainties.
He revealed that exports declined by 8.1 per cent while imports contracted by 9.2 per cent during the period.
“Nevertheless, Sarawak continued to record a healthy trade surplus of RM15.6 billion, demonstrating the resilience of our economy,” he said.
Awang Tengah noted that the current global trade environment remains challenging, particularly for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), due to rising logistics, fuel and raw material costs.
In response, he said the state government under the leadership of Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg introduced additional assistance measures in April this year under Sumbangan Keperluan Asas Sarawak (SKAS) and related initiatives to ease cost pressures and support business continuity.
He said the federal government also had introduced targeted subsidies, financing assistance and SME development programmes to help businesses manage rising costs.
“At the same time, these global challenges also present opportunities for Sarawak to strengthen long-term resilience through market diversification, technology adoption and expansion into higher value-added industries,” he said.
Awang Tengah said his ministry had also engaged with business associations and chambers of commerce on April 27 this year to assess the impact of global uncertainties on business operations.
“Further surveys are now being conducted, and I urge businesses to participate actively so that targeted interventions can be formulated effectively,” he said.
Moving forward, Awang Tengah said the ministry would intensify export promotion initiatives through market expansion under the Sarawak Global Export Programme, accelerated digitalisation under the Digitalisation Adoption and Development Programme, as well as the promotion of export-oriented industries through trade missions and international expos.
He added that the roles of Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Singapore (STATOS) and Sarawak Trade and Tourism Office Brunei (STATOB) would also continue to be strengthened to expand exports, diversify markets and enhance Sarawak’s presence in Singapore, Brunei and the wider ASEAN region.
“Both agencies will play a stronger role in facilitating trade and investment linkages and supporting MSMEs to integrate into global value chains,” he said.
