Malaysia’s economy on the right track: PM Najib Razak
Malaysia’s economy has performed strongly at a time of regional and global economic uncertainty, showing the country is on the right track, said Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (Source: Xinhua)
Malaysia’s economy has performed strongly at a time of regional and global economic uncertainty, showing the country is on the right track, said Prime Minister Najib Razak in a National Day 2015 Message broadcast live by TV1 of Radio Television Malaysia on August 31.
The Prime Minister highlighted that the economy grew by 6 percent last year and is estimated at 5 percent this year, in comparison with negative 7 percent during the Asian crisis in 1998.
The second indicator is that the economic fundamentals are stronger this year as the country has learnt from the effects of the 1998 economic crisis, he said, given the government’s fiscal deficit tapered off to 3.2 percent and the banking system has strong capital with ample liquidity.
In addition, the rates of bad debt and inflation are low and manageable.
Malaysia is also successful with its national policies, particularly the National Transformation Policy which helps reduce poverty nationwide, increase the gross domestic product by 47.7 percent from 2009-2014 and create jobs for some 1.8 million labourers, Najib said.
Regarding economic management, he underscored that Malaysia has been recognised globally as an efficient economic manager, seen through evaluations by international financial organisations such as Fitch Ratings, Moody’s and Standard & Poor.
The country also ranked 12 th in the 2014 Global Competitiveness Report, which assessed the competitiveness landscape of economies worldwide.
A special committee with 10 economic experts was established to map out plans and activities in response to crises, Najib said, assuring that the government will continue to foster benefits for and the happiness of residents.-VNA
Malaysia’s rubber product exports hit 8.46 billion RM (over 2 billion USD) in the first half of this year, up 15.1 percent compared to the same period last year.
The Republic of Korea (RoK), China and Japan agreed on May 3 to reinforce the regional financial safety net, along with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), by launching a new financing facility programme meant to extend greater support in case of a financial crisis.
A technical issue combined with an extreme heatwave was blamed for a series of explosions at a military base that killed 20 soldiers and injured several others in Cambodia on April 27, the country’s Ministry of Defence said in a May 2 statement as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The Customs Department of Thailand is scheduled to commence the collection of value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods sent via postal services, regardless of the goods value, starting in May.
A lecturer from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine has warned Thais to be more vigilant against COVID-19, saying infection rates appeare to be worsening with higher hospital admissions, deaths and severe cases.
Malaysia should harness the collective expertise and resources to drive sustainable growth and development of the halal industry, according to Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Laos has officially restored the 10% value-added tax (VAT) rate starting May 1, in a bid to support the country’s budget revenue and socio-economic development.
The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) entered its second plenary session in Hanoi on the afternoon of April 23, discussing ways to ensure comprehensive security for the people-centred ASEAN Community.
The first session of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) in Hanoi on April 23 focused on fast and sustainable growth for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and the ASEAN Alliance on Carbon Markets (AACM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the implementation of carbon crediting programmes across Southeast Asia.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn reaffirmed ASEAN leaders' commitment to empowering the youth to unleash their full potential when he had a dialogue with ASEAN youth in Hanoi on April 22 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum (AF 2024).
The Thai Government is being urged to increase the proportion of renewable power generation to more than the target of 50% set in the power development plan (PDP).
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of Indonesia on April 21 lifted its tsunami advisory issued previously following the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro district of North Sulawesi province.
Thailand expects to export about 1 million tonnes of durian, valued at an estimated 130 billion THB (3.53 billion USD) this year, with most of the shipments to China, according to Minister of Agriculture Thammanat Prompao.
The 72nd meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) and related meetings are being held by the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of Vietnam in the central city of Da Nang on April 22-26.
Enhancing regional food security and tackling the pressing challenges of climate change will be key agendas defining Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat (lower house) Johari Abdul told the press on April 19.