The Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER) released its 2Q2018 report recently revealing that the Malaysian economy is expected to grow at a moderate pace for 2018. Real GDP is projected to grow at 5.5% year-on-year this year and moderate to a range of 4.8% – 5.3% for 2019.  This growth will be driven by domestic demand attributed mainly to private consumption.  The newly elected Malaysian Government is reviewing and working on all monetary and fiscal fronts to maintain a sustainable growth momentum going forward.

The global economic conditions continue to remain buoyant and IMF opines that world economy will grow at 3.9% for 2018 and 2019, baring the geopolitical tensions, environmental calamities and the US-China trade protectionism issues.  This growth is attributed to the surge in trade activities for manufactured goods, especially due to the global technology upcycle and better commodity prices particularly for crude oil.  This, in turn, augurs well to boost Malaysia’s export-oriented industries.

MASSA welcomes YABhg Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad and his new Cabinet ushering in a new era for Malaysia under the Pakatan Government. YABhg Tun Mahathir is MASSA’s founding PATRON.  During MASSA’s formative years in the 1990s, YABhg Tun Dr. Mahathir guided MASSA and fully supported its endeavours to lead the way for corporate Malaysia to venture into the developing countries of the South-South.  Today, after 26 years, many of these developing markets have grown to become emerging markets and are major export destinations  for our manufactured goods and trade in  services.  A number of these countries have also become significant investors in our country.

Going forward, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Industry 4.0 will open up many new areas and sectors for business. Together with our development partners from these emerging markets, the South-South ties will have the opportunity to go further and wider with better possibilities for efficiency, productivity and profitability.

MASSA will continue its efforts to highlight some of these sectors and bring to members for their evaluation.

Tan Sri Azman Hashim
President