It has projected a 4.3 per cent growth for Malaysia in 2016 and 4.6 per cent in 2017, according to the latest Regional Economic Outlook update out of Washington. While the near-term outlook for Asia remains strong, the IMF warned of downside risks amid headwinds namely financial dislocations linked with capital flow volatility and sluggish global growth. "The impact of the `new mediocre' in advanced economies on global trade and growth could have far-reaching implications for Asia's economic outlook." The global economy is expected to expand by a modest 3.1 per cent in 2016, a slight downward revision since its last outlook in April. Asean- 5 (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Singapore) is expected to see stable growth this year at 4.8 per cent before seeing modest growth of 5.1 per cent next year.

Source: New Strait Times October 06, 2016 22:37 UTC