DUN Sarawak: Sarawak gained a trade surplus of RM41.2 billion

KUCHING, Oct 12: Sarawak recorded a trade surplus of RM41.2 billion in the first seven months of 2026, driven by export growth over import growth.

Sarawak's premier, Datuk Tinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state's trade volume increased 12.3 percent to RM117.1 billion for the period January to July this year.

"Exports increased 14.7 percent to RM79.2 billion, while imports increased 7.6 percent to RM38 billion.

"This stronger export performance increased the trade surplus to RM41.2 billion, thus proving Sarawak's resilience and competitiveness in global markets", he said.

He said this while presenting the Sarawak Budget 2027 at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Conference, today.

According to him, Sarawak was ranked fourth among the exporting states in Malaysia for the period, after Penang, Johor and Selangor.

He said that the performance reflects Sarawak's resilience to its native resource-based economy as well as its ability to generate large returns despite global market uncertainty.

Johari also stressed the importance of continuous efforts to diversify the economy and increase value added to ensure Sarawak's growth can be sustained in the long term.