Malaysia’s trade with BRICS countries rises 20% to $114 billion 

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) – Malaysia’s trade with BRICS member countries rose 20% to $114 billion in the first half of this year, reports NST.

Deputy Foreign Minister Lukanisman Awang Sauni told the Dewan Rakyat, the lower chamber of the parliament, that exports increased 17.4% to $43 billion, while imports grew 21.7% to $71 billion compared with the same period last year. 

“China, Indonesia and India remain Malaysia’s largest trading partners within BRICS, accounting for about 90% of total trade,” he said in reply to Dr Ronald Kiandee, who had asked about the objectives of Malaysia’s BRICS partner status and its benefits compared with existing bilateral cooperation.

Lukanisman said trade with BRICS countries reached $201 billion last year, up 3.4% from $194 billion in 2024, accounting for 27.7% of Malaysia’s overall trade.

He said Malaysia’s participation sought to diversify its economic partners, reduce reliance on traditional markets and strengthen developing countries’ voice in international economic and financial governance.

“Cooperation through BRICS provides significant added value and complements existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms and free trade agreements,” he said.

He said the grouping offered opportunities to expand exports to markets where Malaysia had no free trade agreements, while attracting investment and technology transfers in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.