Malaysia Warns of Export Slowdown After Economy Grows 4.4%

Malaysia's economy grew 4.4% in the second quarter, missing the official estimates. The central bank, however, stated that the economy is robust enough to withstand an anticipated slowdown in exports due to US tariffs. The slower-than-expected growth was attributed to weaker external demand, particularly from China, a key trading partner. The central bank noted that domestic demand remained resilient, driven by private consumption and investment. While the central bank expects exports to slow, it believes the economy is well-positioned to weather the impact. The bank cited the country's strong fundamentals, including healthy household and corporate balance sheets, as reasons for its confidence in the economy's ability to navigate the challenges posed by the global trade tensions. Overall, the news suggests that Malaysia's economy continues to demonstrate resilience, even in the face of external headwinds, though the pace of growth may moderate in the coming quarters.