LIDIANA ROSLIlidiana@nst.com.myKUALA LUMPUR: Domestic demand will remain the key growth driver for Malaysia come 2018 supported by solid labour market conditions and investments, mainly in infrastructure spending. Gross domestic product (GDP) for 2018 is also expected to ease from an estimated six per cent to 5.1 per cent on the back of moderating export growth and tighter credit conditions. "Synchronised recovery in global growth will continue to be supportive of export," said Fenner. ICAEW also expects core inflation to grow amid robust domestic demand; with headline inflation expected to moderate to 2.9 per cent in 2018, from an estimated 3.8 per cent. "Overall, we expect the process of monetary policy normalisation in 2018 by Bank Negara to proceed in a gradual and well-communicated manner," she said in closing.

Source: New Strait Times December 19, 2017 09:22 UTC