Fitch Solutions revises up Malaysia’s 2021 economic growth forecast
Credit rating agency Fitch Solutions has revised up Malaysia's 2021 economic growth forecast to 1.5 percent from zero percent as the COVID-19 situation in the Southeast Asian country has improved.
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Credit rating agency Fitch Solutions has revised up Malaysia's 2021 economic growth forecast to 1.5 percent from zero percent as the COVID-19 situation in the Southeast Asian country has improved.
In its note, Fitch said Malaysia's daily COVID-19 cases slipped from a peak of 24,599 on August 26 to about 6,000 on October 21, and a downtrend appears to be entrenched.
The Malaysian Government has already re-opened the tourist resort of Langkawi, and international travel rules have been relaxed since October 11.
The agency’s forecast for 2022 remains at 5.5 percent for now, with the economy likely to post a stronger recovery thanks to higher vaccination rates.
It also raised its prediction for the country's private consumption to 0.5 percent from minus 2 percent p💖revious𒉰ly./.
The Malaysian government has decided to expand the booster COVID-19 vaccine dose programme to individuals who were inoculated with Sinovac vaccine and had received full two shots at least three months ago.
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced on October 22 that the country will let foreign workers back to the country after an almost 16-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and allow some tourists back to its resort island of Langkawi.
Malaysia's consumer price index (CPI) increased for the eighth consecutive month, by 2.2 percent in September compared to the same month last year, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
The top three categories of illegal health product listings detected and removed by HSA consisted of medicine for skin and hair conditions (37%); antibiotic, antifungal and antiviral creams, tablets or capsules (15%); and unregistered contact lenses (13%).
Rudy Salim, executive chairman of Prestige Aviation – the company that introduced the EHang 216-S to Indonesia, said its agenda is to continue test flights, so that this can become a future mode of tourism and transportation.
Startup ASEAN platform brings all stakeholders together under one digital roof, expected to promote open innovation, improve access to capital, and strengthen ASEAN’s position as a dynamic and connected innovation powerhouse.
Indonesia as an appealing destination for investment in energy transition. It is Southeast Asia’s largest energy consumer and the region’s fourth most populous country. However, the majority of the country's existing power plants still rely on fossil fuels.
The Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore urged all Vietnamese firms trading with Singapore to seriously comply with its legal regulations, particularly customs requirements.
The Grandma Island soccer team was about to go to compete for Setokok Island, Batam city. In the middle of the trip, the boat was hit by waves and overturned.
Mexico's Nuevo León leaders underscored the state’s keen interest in partnering with ASEAN – a region known for dynamic economic growth, a young population, an expanding middle class, and a growing role in global supply chains.
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Phuket airport authorities said the incident did not affect flights or airport operations, and security personnel are also stepping up surveillance in public areas, with CCTV covering all the airport area.
The facility will integrate multiple components, including mining operations, a smelter, high-pressure acid leach (HPAL) processing, and production of precursors and cathodes.
A participant in the Malaysia Economic Forum 2025 said despite challenges, there are significant opportunities in AI, digital transformation, and green technologies, requiring the country to balance both risk and potential thoughtfully.
Themed “emerging trends in terrorism and violent extremism”, the event drew over 200 participants from domestic and international agencies, discussing the rapid evolution of terrorism and the need for stronger regional and global cooperation.
Indonesia aims to start nuclear power generation by 2034, with a government roadmap already in place to develop small modular reactors (SMRs) with capacities ranging from 300 to 500 megawatts.
The package, endorsed on June 24, comprises 481 projects designed to boost GDP by an additional 0.4% and generate temporary employment for about 7.4 million people nationwide.
An Indonesian official emphasised that energy security is extremely essential amid global geopolitical and economic fragmentation, highlighting the need for the energy industry to strengthen resilience and responsiveness in the face of fluctuating oil prices and the shift to clean energy.
ASEAN must deepen collaboration through platforms such as the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC) to ensure regional responses keep pace with the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape.
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Photo: Xinhua) 
