KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is one of the most open economies in the world and with a competitive currency and good gearing to the electronics cycle, it will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the revival in global demand Manufactured exports will do well and commodity prices should hold up as well ,” he said at the ISEAS- Yusof Ishak Institute’s Regional Outlook Forum in Singapore today. Bhaskaran, a strategic advisory analyst, was one of the speakers discussing a topic titled “Economic Trends and Their Impact on the Region”. Major infrastructure projects are being implemented and this is crowding in private investment as well,” he said. On the ringgit, Bhaskaransaid it has been strengthening as trade is revived due to Bank Negara Malaysia’s policies in getting exporters to convert their proceeds to ringgit.
The external accounts are likely to remain in surplus, providing more support to the ringgit which is being helped by rising oil prices,” he said. On long-term prospects, Bhaskaransaid they were helped by the government’s economic transformation programme, but much would depend on political risks as the general elections loomed.
