Malaysia's unemployment rate fell to 4.2 percent in December from 4.3 percent in the previous month, data of the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) showed.
Malaysia's unemployment rate fell to 4.2 percent in December from 4.3 percent in the previous month (Photo: Reuters)
Hanoi (VNA) –🉐 Malaysia's unemployment rate fellto 4.2 percent in December from 4.3 percent in the previous month, data of theDepartment of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) showed.
In a statement, the DOSM said that the number of theemployed in the country in December saw a marginal rise of 0.2 percentmonth-on-month to 15.65 million. The employment-to-population ratio recorded a slightincrease to 66.1 percent in the month from 66 percent in last November. Meanwhile, the number of unemployed persons in Malaysiacontinued to decrease by 1 percent month-on-month to 687,600 in December. According to the DOSM, the aftermath of the pandemic causedthe economic revival to be somewhat hindered and it also affected the regainingof the entire labour market as its recovery is directly proportional to theperformance of the economy. Travelling activities observed during the month signalledthat the labour market is projected to improve in the coming months, thedepartment added. Malaysia’s National Recovery Council on February 8 proposedreopening of the international borders as early as March 1, without the needfor compulsory quarantine./.
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) on February 4 forecast that the Malaysian economy will expand between 5.5 percent and 6.5 percent this year, underpinned by continued expansion in global demand and higher expenditure in private sector.
Malaysia’s rubber exports continued to record strong growth in 2021, climbing to 64.61 billion ringgit (about 15.5 billion USD), according to Khairuddin Rahim, Deputy Executive Director Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA), adding that the figure was 25.84 billion and 43.64 billion ringgit, respectively, in 2019 and 2020.
The Malaysian Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) has assured that there will be no total lockdown of the economic and industrial sectors, amid the rising COVID-19 cases in the country.
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
Singapore led with a total of 8.8 billion USD in realised investment, followed by Hong Kong and mainland China, Malaysia, and Japan with 8 billion USD, 1.7 billion USD and 1.6 billion USD, respectively.
Malaysia's unemployment rate fell to 4.2 percent in December from 4.3 percent in the previous month (Photo: Reuters) 
