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Malaysia

Macro View

Markets

Finance & Banking

Geostrategic & Long Term Issues

Key Indicators

Gross Domestic Product
GDP at Purchasers' Prices
(Constant 2000 RM Mil., NSA)
131236,121162,126901,134159,137112 137,112
Consumer Price Index
All Groups
(2005=100, NSA)
112.4,112.5,112.8,113,113.2 113.2
Foreign Trade
Exports
(Millions of Malaysian Ringgits, NSA)
47238.8,54280.6,50065.8,54670,52447.3 52,447.3
Balance of Payments
Financial Account - Direct Investment in Malaysia
(Millions of Malaysian Ringgits, NSA)
344,4133,2761,863,3565 3,565
Foreign Trade
Gross Exports of Manufactured Goods - Total Electronics and Electricals
(Millions of Malaysian Ringgits, NSA)
22035.6,21574.6,25156.8,23302.3,24614.8 24,614.8
Gross Domestic Product
Gross Fixed Capital Formation
(Constant 2000 RM Mil., NSA)
26042,25771,28278,29069,28183 28,183
data by Moody's

RGE Q1 2010 Malaysia Outlook

Malaysia has lagged other ASEAN economies in recovering from the economic downturn, as GDP continued to contract until Q3 2009. Weak global demand and credit conditions in 2009 led to sharp declines in private investment and manufacturing and commodity exports. Growth and consumer spending are cushioned by monetary policy and large fiscal spending. RGE forecasts that after contracting by 2.4% in 2009, the Malaysian economy will manage to grow in 2010. Private consumption and investment will remain weak while government spending will be scaled back owing to deficit concerns, and net exports will be a drag on growth. Higher commodity prices and inventory restocking will sustain industrial activity and exports in 2010. But both industrial production and exports will remain well below their pre-recession levels in the coming years. With an export-to-GDP ratio of 90%, deleveraging in the West will constrain Malaysia’s growth, though commodity exports to Asia will be a plus. The government has proposed reforms to rebalance the economy toward domestic demand and continue with liberalization and...

Read the Q1 2010 Malaysia Outlook.

RGE Analysis

EconoMonitors

Global Macro EconoMonitor

A Tale of Two Recoveries: Malaysia vs. Germany

Rebecca Wilder Feb 26, 2010

Asia EconoMonitor

SEAsia: Turning a Corner or Turning Away?

Rumi Malott Morales Sep 24, 2009

Daily Digest

Analysis

Mizuho Dealer’s Eye March 2010

Mizuho Corporate Bank  Daisuke Karakama Mar 11, 2010

Analysis

Economic Markets Strategy 2Q 2010

DBS  Mar 11, 2010

News

Malaysia Industrial Output Rises for Second Month Amid Recovery

Bloomberg  Shamim Adam and Michael J. Munoz Mar 11, 2010

News

Malaysia: External trade kicks off on a high note

The Borneo Post  Mar 11, 2010

News

Malaysia: 'Islamic brand gaining global acceptance'

Business Times  Mar 11, 2010

News

Malaysia: Banks may see better earnings this year

The Star Online  Mar 11, 2010

Analysis

Malaysia: Quarterly Balance of Payments Performance October - December 2009

Department of Statistics Malaysia  Mar 11, 2010

Analysis

Monthly Manufacturing Statistics Malaysia January 201

Department of Statistics Malaysia  Mar 11, 2010

Analysis

Index of Industrial Production Malaysia January 2010

Department of Statistics Malaysia  Mar 11, 2010

Analysis

Malaysia External Trade Statistics January 2010

Department of Statistics Malaysia  Mar 10, 2010

Opinions

Will Malaysia rate rise set off Southeast Asia hikes?

The Malaysian Insider  Mar 10, 2010

News

Malaysia: RAM: 5-6pc economic growth achievable

Business Times  Mar 10, 2010

News

Malaysia: ‘Services should contribute more to GDP’

Business Times  Mar 10, 2010

News

Malaysia: RAM revises outlook for 4 sectors to stable

The Star Online  Mar 10, 2010

News

Palm Oil Demand to Rise Faster Than Production, TransGraph Says

Bloomberg  Luzi Ann Javier Mar 10, 2010

News

Malaysian Stocks to Rise 10% on ‘Currency Game,’ Manulife Says

Bloomberg  Chan Tien Hin Mar 10, 2010

News

Buy Ringgit Versus Won, Yen on Rate Outlook, RBS Says

Bloomberg  David Yong Mar 10, 2010

News

Palm Oil Output Declines in Malaysia, Squeezing Global Supply

Bloomberg  Luzi Ann Javier and Manirajan Ramasamy Mar 10, 2010

News

Bursa Malaysia Expects Second Year of Profit Growth

Bloomberg  Ian C. Sayson and Tien Hin Chan Mar 8, 2010

News

Malaysia to ink economic pact with EFTA

Business Times  Mar 9, 2010

News

Malaysia: CIMB: Rate hike won't hurt lending target

Business Times  Mar 9, 2010

News

Malaysia: Industrial Production expected to expand

The Star Online  Mar 9, 2010

News

Malaysia Rubber Output May Rise 17% to 1 Million Tons

Bloomberg  Supunnabul Suwannakij Mar 9, 2010

News

Palm Oil May Surge on El Nino, Prudential Bache’s Frick Says

Bloomberg  Luzi Ann Javier Mar 9, 2010

Analysis

Asia’s 2010 Outlook: Strong Growth and Tame Inflation Reduce Risks of Policy Shock

Alliance Bernstein  Anthony Chan Mar 5, 2010

Analysis

Asia Weekly: Malaysia and Australia hiked rates

BBVA  Ramón de la Rocha Mar 8, 2010

Analysis

Rate hikes in Australia and Malaysia, Indonesia on hold

Scotiabank Group  Erik Nilsson Mar 8, 2010

News

Malaysia: Bank Negara to hike again if situation allows

The Malaysian Insider  Mar 8, 2010

News

Malaysia: Maybank Invt sees 4.5-5pc GDP growth

Business Times  Mar 8, 2010

News

'Malaysia export growth upside limited'

Business Times  Mar 8, 2010

News

Malaysia: KL to sell 7-year bonds, first since 2004

Business Times  Mar 8, 2010

News

Malaysia: Developers, analysts unperturbed by interest rate hike

The Star Online  Angie Ng Mar 8, 2010

News

Fundamentals in M'sia strong

Straits Times  Marissa Lee Mar 8, 2010

News

Malaysia: Ringgit likely to strengthen further

The Star Online  Mar 5, 2010

News

Malaysia’s Exports Rise the Most in 11 Years, Boosting Recovery

Bloomberg  Shamim Adam and Michael Munoz Mar 5, 2010

Analysis

Malaysia economy: Brighter prospects

EIU  Mar 5, 2010

News

Malaysia exports jump 37pc in January

Business Times  Mar 5, 2010

News

Malaysia: Corporate, income tax cuts to follow GST

The Malaysian Insider  Mar 5, 2010

News

Malaysia: Fuel prices set to rise

The Star Online  Danny Yap Mar 5, 2010

Analysis

Preliminary Release of Malaysia External Trade Statistics January 2010

Department of Statistics Malaysia  Mar 5, 2010

News

Malaysia: International Reserves of BNM as at 25 February 2010

Bank Negara Malaysia  Mar 5, 2010

Blogs

A tale of two recoveries: Malaysia vs. Germany

News N Economics  Rebecca Wilder Feb 25, 2010

Analysis

Malaysia: Kicking Off Interest Rate Normalisation

UOB Economic-Treasury Research  Ho Woei Chen Mar 5, 2010

News

Malaysia Increases Interest Rate as Recession Ends

Bloomberg  Shamim Adam Mar 4, 2010

News

Malaysia not raising fuel prices for now

Business Times  Mar 4, 2010

News

Malaysia: Economists see further rise in OPR this year

The Malaysian Insider  Mar 4, 2010

News

Malaysia: Monetary Policy Statement

Bank Negara Malaysia  Mar 4, 2010

News

Malaysia: Property sales to rise 5-10pc: RAM

Business Times  Mar 3, 2010

News

Templeton Says Buy Korea, Malaysia Debt to Avoid Sovereign Risk

Bloomberg  Sarah McDonald Mar 3, 2010

News

Malaysia May Pull Monetary Stimulus Before Indonesia

Bloomberg  Shamim Adam and David Yong Mar 3, 2010

News

Malaysia’s annual FDI target is RM27b

Business Times  Mar 2, 2010

News

Malaysia: Analysts see company performance trend moving upwards

The Star Online  Danny Yap Mar 2, 2010

News

Malaysia: Bank Negara may start to unwind measures

The Star Online  Mar 2, 2010

News

Malaysia: More global banks may go for IIB licence

The Star Online  Mar 2, 2010

News

Malaysia Doubles Export Growth Forecast Amid Rebound

Bloomberg  Soraya Permatasari and Manirajan Ramasamy Mar 2, 2010

News

Malaysia State-Linked Firms Urged to Invest at Home

Bloomberg  Barry Porter Mar 1, 2010

News

Rubber Output During ‘Wintering’ Season to Increase

Bloomberg  Supunnabul Suwannakij Mar 1, 2010

News

Economists revise Malaysia's GDP targets

The Star Online  Feb 26, 2010

News

Oil Subsidy ‘Reform’ Needed to Ease Budget Gaps, IMF Staff Say

Bloomberg  Shamim Adam and Sandrine Rastello Feb 26, 2010

News

Malaysia: Distributive Trade Fourth Quarter 2009

Department of Statistics Malaysia  Feb 25, 2010

News

Malaysia: Bank Negara likely to raise key rate next week

Business Times  Rupa Damodaran Feb 25, 2010

News

Malaysia May Beat Korea, India to Asia Rate Increase

Bloomberg  David Yong Feb 25, 2010

News

Malaysian Economy Emerges From Recession, Inflation Accelerates

Bloomberg  Shamim Adam and Manirajan Ramasamy Feb 24, 2010

News

Malaysia Q4 2009 growth seen at 2.71pc

Business Times  Feb 24, 2010

Analysis

Malaysia: National Product and Expenditure Accounts Fourth Quarter 2009

Department of Statistics Malaysia  Feb 24, 2010

Analysis

Consumer Price Index Malaysia January 2010

Department of Statistics Malaysia  Feb 24, 2010

Analysis

Malaysia: Monetary and Financial Developments in January 2010

Bank Negara Malaysia  Feb 24, 2010

News

Malaysia: Government to raise domestic investment to 60pc

The Malaysian Insider  Feb 23, 2010

News

Malaysia May Have Emerged From Recession Last Quarter

Bloomberg  Shamim Adam Feb 23, 2010

News

Malaysia: Economy on the path to recovery, says Zeti

The Malaysian Insider  Feb 22, 2010

Analysis

Asia Pacific Real Estate Investment Market Bulletin 2009

Colliers International  Feb 22, 2010

News

Malaysia: Islamic banks unfazed by new competition

The Star Online  Sharidan M. Ali Feb 22, 2010

News

Malaysia: International Reserves of BNM as at 12 February 2010

Bank Negara Malaysia  Feb 19, 2010

Opinions

The ASEAN-China FTA: driving competitiveness in Malaysia

East Asia Forum  Shankaran Nambiar Feb 19, 2010

News

Palm Oil, Sugar Cane Most Sustainable Energy Crops, Study Shows

Bloomberg  Rudy Ruitenberg Feb 19, 2010