The volume of trade between Malaysian and BRICS countries reached an astounding RM818 billion in 2024 (equivalent to $195 billion). This accounts for more than 35.2% of Malaysia’s overall foreign trade sales, according to the latest data from Bernama.
Apart from trading volume, Malaysia’s investments from BRICS countries touched on RM100 billion (equivalent to $25 billion). This development helped Malaysia enter a larger section of the international market by gathering additional investments and capital.
Investment will arise as Malaysia is currently a BRICS partner country along with 11 other countries. Partner countries include Algeria, Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. Indonesia was also a partner country, but is now an official member of BRICS and was appointed in 2025.
“Malaysia is not yet a full member of BRICS, but it has benefited from the association’s economic relations with the countries, as most of them are trading partners to Malaysia and are stable sources of foreign investment.” Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.
Malaysia is a country of BRICS partners
Malaysia has benefited financially from BRICS by becoming a partner of the alliance. After Trump imposed tariffs on the Global South, Malaysia has assured him that it will strengthen its trade and investment cooperation with BRICS members. “Malaysia’s commitment is to strengthen our rules-based, comprehensive trading system. Together, we will build a more fairer, progressive, global economy future.” Tengku Zafrul, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, said.
Trump’s tariffs also make Malaysia stick to the BRICS and ASEAN alliance for trade and economics. Developing countries are united to dodge US tariffs and launch new trade deals with member partnerships. They aim to boost the economy without US dollar support and rely on local currency. This allows them to be stronger during economic turbulence and bypass the US dollar for trade and tariffs.
