Economy

The government had cautioned external trade in 2019 will be affected by slowing global economy
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia's December industrial growth rises 3.4%, beats view

External risks cloud 2019 prospects after last year's factory output growth slows

11 February 2019
A motor show held near Bangkok in November. New-car sales in Southeast Asia increased for a third straight year in 2018. (Photo by Hiroshi Kotani)
Economy

Southeast Asian auto sales climb 6% to new heights in 2018

But slowdown seen on trade-war fallout and rising interest rates

7 February 2019
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5 February 2019
Malaysia's exports in December rose 4.8% on year, helping lift the full year trade surplus to the highest since 2012.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia's last year's trade surplus widens most since 2012

Trade minister aims for 5% exports growth in 2019 despite global challenges

30 January 2019
"This fund should be seen as a temporary facility for a limited period," Bank Negara Malaysia Governor said at the fund's launch.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia launches one billion ringgit fund for home buyers

Move aimed at addressing property supply glut, analysts say more steps needed

29 January 2019
The ban affects 27 Filipino trainees at this Mitsubishi Motors factory in Okazaki, in central Japan. (Photo courtesy of Mitsubishi Motors)
Economy

Mitsubishi and Panasonic banned from hiring foreign interns

Companies complain about the system's rigidity as labor shortage worsens

26 January 2019
Bank Negara Malaysia's monetary policy committee held the Overnight Policy Rate at 3.25% as expected at its first of this year’s six scheduled meetings.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia central bank holds rate steady as expected

Steady growth, low inflation rate indicate rate pause through 2019

24 January 2019
Smooth and effective implementation is the key to the success of CPTPP.
Opinion

The Unsexy Challenge of CPTPP

Members must focus on implementing the trade accord, or risk embarrassment

23 January 2019
Sri Lanka is in dire straits as the debt-strapped country confronts a looming balance of payment crisis.
Economy

Sri Lanka seeks regional bailout as balance of payments crisis looms

Colombo looks to India and China for financial assistance and renegotiates with IMF

21 January 2019
Emerging economies across Asia have long had a relatively low ratio of government debt to gross domestic product.
Economy

Public debt in emerging Asia creeps past 50% of GDP

Region opens fiscal taps, but borrowing could spell trouble in next slowdown

21 January 2019
Malaysian Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said the choice of joint-lead arranger was based purely on merit. 
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia drops Nomura from samurai bond issuance

Kuala Lumpur also demands Goldman Sachs cough up $7.5bn for ex-banker's fraud

18 January 2019
China's reputation suffers as the 1MDB scandal shows.
Opinion

1MDB probe shines uncomfortable light on China's Belt and Road

Scandal is only latest example of dangerous lack of transparency in showcase program

18 January 2019
Shipments of electrical and electronics goods, which account for more than one-third of Malaysia's total exports, fell 7.4% in August from a year earlier.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia November industrial output growth beats view

Pace slows sharply on month due to fewer working days, supply outages

11 January 2019
1MDB case highlights need for greater financial transparency. (NurPhoto/Getty Images)
Opinion

1MDB scandal -- a call to redouble Asia's fight for transparency

Companies and governments must stop tolerating lax local standards

7 January 2019
A ceremony for the first China-ASEAN Maritime Exercise, held in October 2018: Many Southeast Asians say China and the U.S. are on a collision course in the region.
Trade war

Southeast Asians feel caught in US-China fight for hegemony

Survey of opinion leaders finds skepticism of Belt and Road runs deep

7 January 2019
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2 January 2019
A worker walks next to a stack of containers at Tanjung Priok port in Jakarta.
Economy

ASEAN growth forecast downgraded further as trade war escalates

Key regional elections in 2019 seen as risk factors, economists say

27 December 2018
A containership arrives in port in Singapore. Re-exports from the city-state, a logistics hub for global trade, have increased of late.
Trade war

Southeast Asian exports to China rise on trade war fears

Slowdown likely later as propped-up demand fades

24 December 2018
Qatar is planning an ambitious new initiative with Malaysia and Turkey to serve the $2 trillion global Islamic finance market.
Economy

Qatar partners Malaysia, Turkey to conquer Islamic finance market

Gas-rich Gulf state aims to escape blockade by diversifying economy

22 December 2018
Friday evening on one of downtown Kuala Lumpur's busy commercial streets.  (Photo by Simon Roughneen)
Economy

Malaysia on track to developed country status -- but has far to go

Other Southeast Asian nations face being stuck in middle-income trap

21 December 2018
Malaysia's core inflation, which excludes most volatile items such as fresh food and energy prices, increased 0.5% in November compared with the same month of the previous year.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia's November inflation rate edges 0.2% higher

BNM expected to hold rate steady even if inflation gains pace in months ahead

19 December 2018
Malaysia’s economic growth rate has decelerated for four straight quarters and expanded 4.4% in July-to-September.
Nikkei Markets

World Bank cuts Malaysia's 2018 growth forecast

External headwinds, limited fiscal room risks to near-term economic expansion

18 December 2018
Malaysia’s economy is expected to expand 4.8% in 2018 and 4.9% in 2019, according to government projections.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia's October industrial production growth tops view

Robust manufacturing, mining output raises prospects of faster 4Q GDP growth

12 December 2018
A 1MDB logo is set against the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia arrests former CEO of 1MDB over alleged audit tampering

Arul Kanda to be charged with former PM Najib Razak on Wednesday

11 December 2018
Hyundai Motor cars are ready for loading at the company's export yard at the South Korean port of Ulsan. The country's exports to China fell for the first time in about two years in November.
Trade war

US-China trade war continues to weigh on Asian manufacturers

November PMI shows grim export picture, but cheaper crude helps ease pain

10 December 2018