Analysts remain cautious on central bank’s improved GDP outlook

Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Datuk Muhammad Bin Ibrahim briefing Bank Negaras 2016 Annual Report and Financial Stability and Payment Systems Report ....... Sam Tham/Star Publication

RESEARCH houses are still cautious but optimistic on Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth prospects this year in light of the rosier outlook by Bank Negara, following the release of its 2016 Annual Report on March 23.

While the central bank has raised its GDP outlook to between 4.3% and 4.8% this year, a check on several research reports reveal that many have maintained their projections at the lower end of the central bank’s range, citing prevailing concerns over the country’s economic fundamentals.