KAMPAR: Malaysia has recorded a total trade of about RM859bil in the first half of this year, a 22% increase compared with the same period last year.

Having recorded about RM670bil in the first half of last year, International Trade and Industry Minister II Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan (pic) said the increase in total trade was due to the demand for Malaysian products while the country’s trade foundation was also solid.

“There is demand for our manufactured goods like electronics and electrical products. Our palm oil sector is also strong.

“We’ve also engaged with a number of countries, signing free trade agreements with them to boost trade,” he said after attending the 25th Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman convocation ceremony here yesterday.

“The total exports from January to June this year was about RM451bil,” he added.

Ong said in June alone, the country recorded a total trade of RM136.26bil.

“Our exports in June were worth about RM73bil.

“We usually achieve between RM50bil and RM60bil but we managed to achieve more,” he said.

“Among the positive contributors included electrical and electronic products, chemicals, palm oil and natural gas,” he said.

Ong hopes the country will continue to show positive growth until the end of the year.

“Assuming we can continue keeping the pace and momentum for the remainder of the year, I think we can do well. Our total trade last year was about RM1.4 trillion.

“All these positive inputs will improve our currency rate and attract investors,” he said.

“Not all countries, not even some of the top countries can achieve this.”

Ong also hoped that Tanjung Malim can be turned into a “Little Detroit”, by bringing in more manufacturing plants so that young people need not move to urban cities for jobs.

“It’s how it was done there to retain its youth with more job opportunities.

“With the demand for more electronic parts, let’s hope more of these factories will come in,” he said.