Malaysia remains one of the region’s fastest-growing economies, with expansions of 5.4% and 5% year-on-year in the third and fourth quarter of 2024, respectively, from a peak of 5.9% in the April-June period. That brought 2024 GDP growth to 5.1%, within the government’s official forecast and above 2023’s performance, when tepid global demand hurt exports and manufacturing activity.  “Seasonal events such as Chinese New Year celebrations, preparations for Ramadan and the reopening of the school year helped keep overall economic activities on a positive track,” the statistics agency said. “Additionally, the labour market remained favourable, marked by a continued rise in employment and a stable unemployment rate of 3.1%,” it said. However, the outlook has been clouded by Trump’s trade policies. “Malaysia is working to engage with the US to reduce tariff rates and expand the list of exemptions for its exports to reduce the negative impact on the economy,” investment, trade and industry minister Zafrul Aziz said on Monday. Like its regional peers, the country has pledged not to retaliate with its own levies. On Wednesday, China reported faster-than-expected GDP growth of 5.4% for Q1, two days after its March exports surged 12.4% in dollar terms from a year earlier. The data may signal buyers were frontloading shipments before Trump’s tariffs, which would imply a slowdown as the US trade levies take effect. (ICE KUALA LUMPUR)

Fonte notizia: 22 aprile 2025, Kuala Lumpur