Malaysia’s GDP growth to moderate to 4.9% for 2018

Malaysia’s economic growth is expected to ease to 4.9% in 2018, as export growth slows and lower public investment following the cancellation of major infrastructure projects, said World Bank chief economist for the East Asia and Pacific region Sudhir Shetty.

As a highly open economy, he said Malaysia will continue to face substantial risks relating to uncertainty in the external environment.

Heightened financial market volatility either triggered by shifting monetary policy expectations in advanced economies could spread across emerging economies, including Malaysia.

Another key risk relates to the escalation in protectionist tendencies and trade tensions in some major economies that could have an adverse impact on Malaysia, given its high level of integration with global markets.