Newsletter: June 2007  

Malaysia’s Textile/Apparel Output Falls in 1st Quarter 2007

Malaysia’s export growth in textiles and apparel has suffered as the Ringgit has appreciated against the U.S. dollar. The Ringgit has appreciated approximately 3.9 percent against the U.S. dollar in 2007 through the end of May.

Cumulative January through March textile, apparel and footwear exports reached RM2.4047 billion or US$708.2 million. Exports to the U.S. in the January through March period totaled US$173.64 million.

Total textile and apparel production has fallen as a result. January output declined 9.9 percent from year-ago levels. This was followed by an 11.9 percent decline in February and 9.6 percent decline in March. Total output in the first quarter of 2007 declined 15.2 percent from the average monthly output experienced in 2006. The most significant weakness has occurred in the textile sector.