Direct investment abroad down 25% to RM24.9b in 2017

Brent crude futures rose 74 cents to settle at $72.90 a barrel, a one percent gain. The contract hit a session low of $71.19 a barrel, its lowest since April 17. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures rose 68 cents, or one percent, to settle at $68.76 a barrel.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's direct investment abroad (DIA) fell by 25% to RM24.9bil in 2017 from RM33.2bil in 2016 due to uncertainty in the global environment and subdued crude oil prices.

The Statistics Department said on Tuesday the investments abroad in 2017 were mainly in services, mining and quarrying and manufacturing sectors.

As for investments in the services sector, the funds were channelled mainly in the financial and insurance / takaful; and real estate activities.