After excellent growth of 8.5% in 2000, Malaysian GDP was expected to be flat in 2001 due to a moribund export market due to global slowdown. Prior to the release of official figures, most economists are expecting a modest rise.

The Malaysian Star newspaper reports -

...The economy is likely to have managed marginal growth of perhaps up to 0.5% in 2001, with the outcome reflecting an expected contraction in the 4th quarter as the country's exports were hit by the global slowdown and the aftermath of the Sept 11 attacks in the US, economists said...."

Things are looking good in Malaysia, investor sentiment as indexed by stock market equity prices has been only second to Thailand in South East Asia over the last few months. The Philippines is also showing bouyancy very latterly, while Singapore is decidedly a laggard in the field.