Taiwan–Malaysia Trade Growth with 130%: Industry Synergy, Policy Support, and Future Outlook
Taiwan-Malaysia Trade Growth:
台馬貿易升溫的關鍵力量：從產業互補到新南向成效
- 前半段為文章的英文版本 (The first half is the English version)
- 後半段為中文版本 (The second half is the Mandarin version)
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Over the past decade, Taiwan’s exports to Malaysia have more than doubled — growing from USD 8.36 billion in 2015 to USD 19.92 billion in 2024. This surge is not merely a result of trade expansion, but reflects a deeper realignment driven by industrial complementarity, government policy, and regional economic strategy.
Taiwan’s Exports to Malaysia (2015–2024)
| Year | Export Value (USD Billion) | Annual Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 8.36 | — |
| 2016 | 7.82 | -6.5% |
| 2017 | 10.37 | +32.7% |
| 2018 | 10.60 | +2.3% |
| 2019 | 9.40 | -11.3% |
| 2020 | 9.46 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | 13.33 | +40.9% |
| 2022 | 17.01 | +27.7% |
| 2023 | 15.17 | -10.9% |
| 2024 | 19.92 | +31.3% |
Source: Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign Trade, Malaysian government data
1. Key Drivers Behind the Export Growth
Semiconductor & Tech Supply Chain Integration
Taiwan and Malaysia have become increasingly interlinked in the global semiconductor value chain. While Taiwan dominates in wafer fabrication and IC design, Malaysia has long been a hub for packaging, testing, and electronics assembly.
As global demand for AI chips, high-performance computing (HPC), 5G infrastructure, and electric vehicles surged, Malaysia’s reliance on Taiwanese ICs, semiconductor materials, and precision equipment has grown significantly — especially during 2021–2022 amid pandemic-induced tech investment and supply chain realignment.
Malaysia’s Industrial Upgrade and Demand Expansion
Malaysia is actively implementing its “New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030),” aiming to transform its economy through high-value manufacturing and advanced electronics.
Global tech giants such as Infineon and Intel have expanded operations in Malaysia, fueling demand for Taiwan’s semiconductor materials, automation equipment, and high-precision components.
2. Complementary Industry Structure Fuels Mutual Growth
| Taiwan’s Strengths | Malaysia’s Strengths | Synergistic Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Wafer fabrication, IC design, automation tech | Semiconductor packaging, electronics manufacturing, regional logistics | Upstream chip supply + downstream integration |
Taiwan’s exports to Malaysia primarily include integrated circuits, sensors, automation systems, and server components — perfectly aligned with Malaysia’s strategy to move up the value chain.
3. New Southbound Policy: An Engine of Sustainable Engagement
Taiwan’s “New Southbound Policy” (since 2016) has played a pivotal role in diversifying trade away from China and expanding ties with ASEAN nations. Malaysia emerged as a priority partner due to its industrial base, multilingual talent, and cultural proximity.
Key policy instruments include:
- Trade mission support and export incentives
- Taiwan–Malaysia Industry Collaboration Office (M-TIC)
- Technical talent exchange and credential recognition
- Startup and SME participation in ASEAN expos and forums
This policy-backed ecosystem has facilitated long-term, stable growth in Taiwan–Malaysia trade.
4. Future Growth Engines & Strategic Recommendations
Emerging Growth Engines
| Sector | Growth Drivers |
|---|---|
| Semiconductor Chain | Global demand for AI & HPC chips |
| Industrial Automation | Malaysia’s Industry 4.0 transformation, paired with Taiwanese solutions |
| Green Energy & ESG | Malaysia’s energy shift; Taiwan’s materials & battery components |
| Cloud & Digital | Taiwanese SaaS/cloud firms entering Malaysia’s smart city and SME markets |
Strategic Collaboration Models
- Joint R&D centers focused on packaging, automation, and smart factory systems
- Southbound branding strategies to localize Taiwanese tech and design solutions
- Regional HQ or supply chain hubs in Malaysia to radiate across the RCEP market
5. From Trade Partner to Strategic Collaborator
Taiwan’s relationship with Malaysia is evolving — from trade expansion to value chain integration. As Southeast Asia rises in strategic importance, Malaysia has become a key launchpad for Taiwanese enterprises seeking deeper regional presence.
The real opportunity lies in upgrading from supplier to co-creator — building localized brands, joint R&D, and digital solutions tailored for ASEAN.
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近十年來，台灣對馬來西亞的出口貿易實現超過一倍的成長，從2015年的83億美元攀升至2024年的199億美元。這不只是數字上的擴張，更是一場體現產業互補、政策引導與區域戰略調整的深層變革。
台灣對馬來西亞出口貿易額（2015–2024）
| 年度 | 出口金額（億美元） | 年增率 |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 83.6 | – |
| 2016 | 78.2 | -6.5% |
| 2017 | 103.7 | +32.7% |
| 2018 | 106.0 | +2.3% |
| 2019 | 94.0 | -11.3% |
| 2020 | 94.6 | +0.6% |
| 2021 | 133.3 | +40.9% |
| 2022 | 170.1 | +27.7% |
| 2023 | 151.7 | -10.9% |
| 2024 | 199.2 | +31.3% |
資料來源：中華民國經濟部國貿局、馬來西亞官方統計。
一、成長主因分析：誰推動了這場出口飛躍？
1. 半導體與高科技供應鏈整合
台灣與馬來西亞在全球半導體供應鏈中扮演互補角色。馬來西亞是全球重要的半導體封裝與測試基地，而台灣則是晶圓製造與IC設計的重鎮。兩者的供應鏈接軌，使得台馬出口額大幅成長。
隨著全球對高效能運算（HPC）、AI伺服器、5G 設備與電動車的晶片需求暴增，台灣出口的積體電路、晶圓材料與製造設備大量湧向馬國。
特別是在疫情期間（2021–2022），全球科技投資激增、供應鏈重新分配，進一步推升雙邊貿易額。
2. 馬來西亞製造業升級與對台需求擴大
馬來西亞政府推動「2030年新工業大藍圖（NIMP 2030）」，致力於打造更高附加價值的製造產業，包括先進電子、汽車電子與智慧製造。
舉例來說，英飛凌、英特爾等國際半導體大廠正在馬國擴充其晶圓製造與封裝產能，進一步提高對台灣在晶圓材料、機械設備與高精密元件的進口需求。
二、產業結構高度互補，成就台馬雙贏
| 台灣優勢 | 馬來西亞優勢 | 協同發展方向 |
|---|---|---|
| 晶圓製造、IC設計、自動化技術 | 封裝測試、東協生產與轉口基地 | 上游晶片供應 + 中下游封裝應用 |
出口至馬國的商品涵蓋積體電路、感測器、自動化系統與伺服器零件，而馬來西亞則提供裝配、生產、封測與東協物流轉運等中下游環節，形成完整的區域供應鏈。
三、新南向政策助力台馬深化鏈結
2016年起，政府積極推動「新南向政策」，不僅從外交層面鼓勵與東協強化互動，更實際推出多項商業推動工具：
- 成立台馬產業合作平台（M-TIC）
- 提供拓銷補助與外館支援
- 建構技職人才與學歷認證平台
- 協助中小企業參與展會與技術論壇
馬來西亞因其地理優勢、工業成熟度與文化兼容性，成為新南向的成功落地案例，也為出口成長創造穩固基礎。
四、未來成長展望與策略建議
成長引擎
| 領域 | 驅動因素 |
|---|---|
| 半導體供應鏈 | 全球AI與高效能運算（HPC）需求帶動 |
| 工業自動化 | 馬國工業4.0政策與台廠設備輸出整合 |
| 綠能與ESG | 馬國能源轉型、台廠綠色材料與電池零件外銷 |
| 雲端與數位轉型 | 台灣SaaS/雲服務進入馬來西亞智慧城市與中小企業市場 |
合作模式建議
- 共同設立研發中心：尤其聚焦於封裝材料、自動化設備、智慧工廠系統。
- 拓展「南向品牌」市場：由出口貿易進化為在地品牌整合與技術落地。
- 建立東南亞區域總部/供應鏈節點：以馬來西亞為據點輻射整個RCEP市場。
五、台馬貿易成長的典範，政策與產業雙軌推動
馬來西亞不只是台灣出口成長的主要對象，更是台灣企業實踐南向政策、布局東協市場的戰略核心。半導體、高科技與工業4.0產業鏈的串聯，加上新南向政策的制度支撐，共同造就這波出口成長奇蹟。
接下來的挑戰與機會在於，台灣企業如何從「供應商角色」轉型為「區域協作者」，在馬來西亞深耕品牌、技術與研發，打造穩固的東協戰略跳板。
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