12-7-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) The manufacturing sector in Malaysia experienced a positive rebound, with sales value increasing by 3.3% year-on-year to RM146.8 billion in May, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia. This growth was driven by strong performances in various industries, including transport equipment and other manufacturers, non-metallic mineral products, and electric and electronics products.
Transport equipment and other manufacturers saw a significant growth of 17.3%, while non-metallic mineral products, basic metal and fabricated metal products recorded an 8.7% increase, and electrical and electronics products grew by 8.2%.
The overall sales value performance for the manufacturing sector from January to May 2023 reached RM741.2 billion, indicating a 5.1% increase compared to the same period in the previous year.
The department highlighted that after a 2.0% decline in the previous month, the sales value of the manufacturing sector rebounded to 3.3% growth in May. On a month-on-month basis, the sales value showed a significant recovery of 1.3% compared to a 7.2% decline in April.
The sales value of export-oriented industries, which represent 71.6% of total sales, marginally rebounded by 0.2% in May after a decrease in April. This was mainly driven by the manufacture of computer, electronics, and optical products, the manufacture of wood and products of wood and cork, and the manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products industries.
On the other hand, domestic-oriented industries maintained their positive momentum and recorded double-digit growth of 12.3% in May. The manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers, and semi-trailers, the manufacture of food processing products, and the manufacture of fabricated metal products, except machinery and equipment, were the key contributors to this growth.
During the first five months of the year, the number of employees in the manufacturing sector increased by 2.6% to a total of 2.36 million persons, while salaries and wages grew by 4.1% to RM40.6 billion. Consequently, the sales value per employee saw a 2.5% increase to RM314,636.
