KUALA LUMPUR (March 6): RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd expects Malaysia’s current account surplus to improve in 2017 to RM33.7 billion or 2.6% of GDP in 2017, from RM25.1 billion or 2% of GDP in 2016, contributed by a wider surplus in the trade account. It said due to the recovery in global trade activity, we envisage exports to grow at a more robust pace of 6% in 2017, from +1.1% in 2016 on account of:1. Pick-up in global semiconductor sales in late-2016, translating into higher electrical & electronics (E&E) exports;3. Improving global trade outlook on the back of stronger global growth prospects. RHB Research said the acceleration in exports was mainly led by a stronger growth of shipments to China, the ASEAN region, the EU and the US.

Source: The Edge Markets March 05, 2017 23:03 UTC