KUALA LUMPUR: Its services and manufacturing sectors have boosted the economy. Malaysia’s real GDP growth hits 5.8% in Q2. According to UOB, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) expects the GDP to grow more than 4.8% for the year on the back of domestic demand. It also expects inflation to ease in the next half year and the consumer price index to grow by 3% to 4%. The country’s current account surplus grew to US$2.2b (RM9.6b), reaching US$3.5b (RM14.9b) or 2.3% of the GDP in H1. UOB analyst Julia Goh said, “Despite the strong headline GDP, we expect OPR to stay unchanged. Downside risks to watch include rising US-China trade frictions, North Korea.
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