Malaysia’s economy expands 4.7% in Q4 2018

Feb 15, 20191 min read

The Malaysian economy grew at a faster pace of 4.7% in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2018 driven by private sector activity. This compares with a 4.4% growth in Q3 2018. For 2018 as a whole, the local economy also expanded 4.7%. According to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), a rebound in exports of goods and services contributed towards the positive growth of net exports.

Headline inflation declined to 0.3% from 0.5% in Q3, mainly due to transport inflation turning negative.

The zerorisation of the Goods and Services Tax and the implementation of the Sales and Services Tax continued to exert an overall downward impact to headline inflation during the quarter.

BNM governor Datuk Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus said the Malaysian economy is expected to remain on a steady growth path with private sector demand being the main driver of growth.

She said headline inflation is expected to average moderately higher.

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Mei Ling Tan

Contributor · RetailNews.asia

Mei Ling Tan is the Editor of Retail News Asia, where she leads the editorial team in delivering in-depth coverage of Asia’s dynamic retail landscape. With over a decade of experience in business journalism, Mei Ling is known for her sharp analysis, deep industry insights, and commitment to uncovering the stories behind Asia’s most innovative retail brands. Before joining Retail News Asia, Mei Ling held senior reporting roles at regional business publications, covering everything from consumer trends to digital transformation in retail. A graduate of the National University of Singapore with a degree in Communications and New Media, she combines journalistic integrity with a strong understanding of evolving market forces. Outside the newsroom, Mei Ling is a frequent speaker at industry panels and a mentor for young journalists.

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