Malaysia Says Middle East Conflict Has Minimal Impact on Trade

2026-03-07 02:28:11

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(MENAFN) Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) said on Wednesday that the escalating conflict in the Middle East is expected to have only a minor effect on the country’s overall trade.

MITI Deputy Minister Sim Tze Tzen noted that trade with Iran accounted for just 2.45 billion ringgit (approximately 620 million U.S. dollars) in 2024, representing roughly 0.09 percent of Malaysia’s total trade volume, according to national reports.

He emphasized that Malaysia mainly trades approved items such as palm oil, textiles, and natural rubber with Iran. While petroleum and gas are affected by the regional unrest, the country’s import volume from Iran remains low.

Sim attributed Malaysia’s steady trade performance in 2025 to the nation’s open and friendly trade policies, which allow it to navigate geopolitical pressures without compromising access to key export markets.

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