Malaysia Central Bank Sees Significant Growth Hurdles Ahead

Malaysia’s central bank said growth risks loom large in its monetary policy considerations, as brewing global trade disputes and geopolitical tensions threaten exports.

Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour said he expects an increasingly challenging external environment in 2025, even as he reaffirmed the government’s annual growth forecast of 4.5% to 5.5%. He’s counting on domestic sources of growth and a diversified export structure to help the economy withstand the challenges, after a 5.1% expansion last year.