• Economy expanded by 3.6% in 4Q19

• Malaysian economy grew by 4.3% in 2019

• Growth driven by private sector spending

• Growth affected by supply disruptions in the commodities sector

• Current account surplus narrowed amid higher goods surplus

• Higher net inflow for FDI

• Maintaining 2020 forecast despite Malaysia’s economy slowed down even before the virus hits

Malaysia’s GDP grew 3.6% yoy in 4Q19 driven by higher private sector spending. Economic growth was however affected by supply disruptions in the commodities sector - the agriculture and mining sectors. On a quarter-on-quarter seasonallyadjusted basis, the economy grew by 0.6% (3Q19: 0.9%). For 2019 as a whole, the economy expanded by 4.3% (2018: 4.7%).

The Malaysian economy was driven by higher private sector spending (4Q19: 7.4%; 3Q: 5.4%). Private consumption grew strongly by 8.1% (3Q19: 7.0%), while private investment registered a higher growth of 4.2% (3Q19: 0.3%). On the production side, the performance was anchored by services, manufacturing and construction. However, the mining & quarrying and agriculture sectors recorded a decline.

Overall, the Malaysian economy grew by 4.3% in 2019 (2018: 4.7%) with a value of RM1.42trn at constant prices and RM1.51trn at current prices.

Source: BIMB Securities Research - 12 Feb 2020